Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0103

Roman Inked Wooden Legal Document Signed by Felicianus in Actum

LATE 4TH CENTURY A.D.

5 3/4 in. (12.4 grams, 14.7 cm).

A reused tablet with a recessed panel on one side, the lower part absent, on the upper rim one of originally 3 holes necessary for binding together of the tablets of the document, 5 lines in Roman cursive on the recessed panel containing the end of a the record of a legal document in a formulaic legal language; part of a legal document which consisted of two (diptychon) or three tablets (triptychon), with the indication where it was done (actum in …) followed by the so-called chirographum (signature line) of a person called Felicianus, letter forms point to a date in the second half of the 4th century AD; with a recessed slot to verso. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From an important London collection since 1975.

Accompanied by a collection of six 1970s photographs of the the tablet.

Published

Rothenhoefer, P., Neue römische Rechtsdokumente aus dem Byzacena-Archiv / New Roman Legal Documents from the Byzacena Archive, (forthcoming).

Literature

Cf. Rothenhöfer, P., Blänsdorf, Jürgen, Sana mente sanaque memoria testa-mentum feci: Eine testamentarische Verfügung vom 12. April 340 n. Chr., Gephyra 13, 2016, pp.153-163; Rothenhöfer, P., Neues zum Testament des Pomponius Maximus aus dem Jahr 371 n. Chr., (forthcoming); see also Masi Doria, C., Dal testamento di Pomponius Maximus: prospettive del diritto ereditario tardo antico, in: Isola, L. (ed.), Klauselgestaltungen in Römischen Testamenten, Berlin, 2022, pp.151-175; also see Thomas, J. D., Vindolanda: The Latin Writing Tablets, Britannia Monograph Series No 4, London, 1983, for examples of wooden tabulae re-used as writing surfaces; for examples of testamentary documents on wooden tablets that have survived, see FIRA III, p.47, for Anthony Silvanus from 142 AD, also see BGU VII 1695 for Safinnius Herminus; for another from Transfynydd, North Wales, see Arch. Camb. 150, pp.143-156; and see Bowman, A.K., Life and letters on the Roman frontier : Vindolanda and its people, London, 1994, for discussion of the uses of Roman writing tablets.

Footnotes

The contract follows standard Roman legal formulae.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0103

Roman Inked Wooden Legal Document Signed by Felicianus in Actum

Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Gnostic Green Gemstone
    Roman Gnostic Green Gemstone
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £910

    Ellipsoid with intaglio nude female flanked by serpents; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.41 grams, 25 mm



    From the glyptic collection of Mr X; thence by descent. Acquired Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Eve SVV, Paris, France, 28 June 2017, no.156 (Part). Property of a French collector.

    Lot Details

  • Large Roman Lead Gaming Dice Group
    Large Roman Lead Gaming Dice Group
    1st-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £130

    Cuboid and rectangular types with impressed point markings irregularly disposed 1:4, 3:6, 3:5; 1:2, 3:5, 4:6; 2:2, 5:5, 3:6. 79 grams total, 14-17 mm



    From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.27.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Fresco Wall Plaster Collection
    Roman Fresco Wall Plaster Collection
    1st century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £33

    Second style, painted in red, blue and cream, one with leaf motifs. 622 grams total, 5.7-11.6 cm



    Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland.

    These small fragments, showing similarities with fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels profiled with black lines representing highlight and shadow. The panels were probably framed by a green fillet. A couple of fragments show two fields in alternated red and blue.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list