Roman Bronze Snake-Headed Bracelet

Well preserved rectangular tablet inscribed in Roman cursive script on one side, the text documents legal acts in the context of a wedding: first a counter-promise concerning the dowry between the father of the bride together with the bride, Donatilla, on the one hand and the groom on the other; then a gift from the bride's mother to her daughter, a 6 year old young slave girl, the transfer taking the form of a mancipatio with Iulius Rogatianus as scale holder (libripens) and with the involvement of witnesses. 86 grams, 24.5 x 14.2 cm



Acquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s. Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgian collector; acquired by gift from his father Albert Sfez, in 1965. Acquired by a London dealer in 1973. From an important London collection since 1975; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a three page illustrated academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer. Accompanied by a collection of four old black and white photographs of the the tablet. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12600-230808. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer writes: 'Without any doubts this tablet is an original document from Roman times. This unique document not only reflects legal practice in the Roman Empire, but is also of great importance for Social History.'

Single-edged blade with scooped forward edge attached to an octagonal-section shank with lanceolate probe to the other end. 12 grams, 14 cm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Discoid in plan with broad D-shaped nozzle, loop handle, discus with low-relief image of a servus wearing a kilt supporting an amphora; maker's mark to underside '[....]VST'. 84 grams, 10.8 cm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The lamp belongs to the Bussière type, form D I 3, from a period between the Late Flavian era to the second half of the second century A.D.