Loading, please wait...
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Standing nude with winged petasos to the head, in contrapposto pose; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 66 grams total, 85 mm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Mercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. Equated with the Greek Hermes he became the god of tradesmen and merchants. He was also the god of thieves and was associated with healing, mainly in Gaul, where he had a number of important temples connected to sacred springs, This statuette was probably a votive offering to one of this temples. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Gryphon and Shield Gemstone
Mid 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
With a possibly later inset red jasper plaque with incuse gryphon supporting a shield or spoked wheel. 9.94 grams, 23.87 mm overall, 16.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman 'Thames' Iron Military Horse Bit
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £339
Comprising a pair of twisted iron bars linked at the centre, loop at each outer end with free-running flat-section ring. 217 grams, 30 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.
