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LOT 0121
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet for a Contract Between Bassus and Neronianus
4TH CENTURY A.D.
6 x 5 1/2 in. (40 grams, 15.1 x 13.9 cm).
A reused tablet with a recessed panel on one side, the last tablet of a legal document which consisted of two (diptychon) or three tablets (triptychon); ten black inked lines of New Roman cursive script, the end of a record of a transaction in formulaic legal language, probably a sales contract, between the buyer (emptor) Bassus and a person called Neronianus; traces of text (perhaps in rustic capitals) to the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an important London collection since 1975.
Accompanied by a collection of two 1970s photographs of the the tablet.
Rothenhoefer, P., Neue römische Rechtsdokumente aus dem Byzacena-Archiv / New Roman Legal Documents from the Byzacena Archive, (forthcoming).
LiteratureCf. 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.
FootnotesThe contract follows standard Roman legal formulae.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0121
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet for a Contract Between Bassus and Neronianus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
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Roman Gold Ring with Gemstone for Servius
Mid 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
With balustered hoop, broad shoulders with scrolled foliage detailing, discoid bezel with cell, inset nicolo gemstone with reversed 'SER/VIV' for SER(VI) VIV(AS) inscription in seriffed capitals, meaning 'Long may you live Servius'. 11.63 grams, 20.37 mm overall, 16.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)
UK private collection formed before 2000. Ex North London, UK, gallery. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.11995-211017.
'Serviu[s]' is a second declension praenomen (Glare, P.G.W., A Latin Dictionary, London, 1968-82, page 1,746/3) apparently based on the noun 'servus' (servant, minister, office-holder). The name was in use in Consular and Imperial times, and was the patronym of important Roman Gens, like the Gens Servilia. -
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Circa 1st century B.C.-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
With inset carnelian cloison, intaglio Sol standing with whip. 5.17 grams, 20.88 mm overall, 17.37 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Roman Bronze Bow Brooch Colection
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising different types, all with pins and catchplates in situ. 99 grams total, 36-70 mm
Ex property of an Austrian private collector since the 1970s.
