Roman Bronze Openwork Plate Brooch

Complete with pin-lugs, pin and catchplate to the reverse; stylised scale detailing. 10.7 grams, 40 mm



Acquired before 1980. Ex property of a London, UK, collector.

Formed as the bust of Eros looking upwards, stub wings to his shoulders, holding a goose to his chest; conical socket above each wing; eyes with silver inserts; old collector's label '1994 51.75' to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand; likely a socket base. 517 grams total, 11.9 cm wide (744 grams total, 14 cm high including stand)



with Sotheby's, London, May 1988, lot 234. Ex Malter galleries, XLV, 28 May 1991, lot 902. Ex Bruce A. Kamerling collection. Acquired from Royal Athena Galleries, New York, 26 June 1994. The Haggin Museum, Stockton, California. with Bonhams, Antiquities, 23 May 2012, lot 121.

Two adjoining parts of an inked wooden tablet, comprising 13 lines of text to the recessed upper face with two piercings to the lower edge; the reverse with an inked inscription reading 'TESTAMENTVUM / POMPONIMAXIMI' (the will of Pomponius Maximus); the 13 lines of inked cursive text following the grain of the wood, the text containing instructions from a will concerning the inheritance of fields on the Mustulo estate (fundus Mustulo), to a Iulius Dancharrus (son of the testator); a field with eight fig-trees, bought from a Iulius Castricius, and several sheep to 'my beloved daughter Zabullania'. 64 grams total, 19.5-20 cm wide



From an important London collection since 1975. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 200269.

The text is written in a very formulaic language typical of Roman legal-documents (among other things, familia testamenti faciundi erga emit Iul. Maianus: the entire possessions, in order to make a will, was bought by Iul. Maianus).