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LOT 0127
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet Regarding the Marriage between Donatilla and Iulius Donatillus and the Gift of a Slave Girl
LATE 318 A.D.
9 5/8 x 5 5/8 in. (86 grams, 24.5 x 14.2 cm).
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 26th May-15th September 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.
LiteratureSee 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; Rothenhoefer, P., Neue römische Rechtsdokumente aus dem Byzacena-Archiv / New Roman Legal Documents from the Byzacena Archive, (forthcoming).
FootnotesProfessor 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.'
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0127
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet Regarding the Marriage between Donatilla and Iulius Donatillus and the Gift of a Slave Girl
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
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Roman Two-Handled Cylindrical Glass Flask with Trailing
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Miniature cosmetic flask with trumpet-shaped mouth, applied trails to body and rim and applied handles. 21.6 grams, 66 mm
Ex London, UK, gentleman 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Glass Double Unguentarium
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Comprising two conjoined tapering tubular cells, with applied handles at the shoulder, decorated with applied trails. 72.5 grams, 11.3 cm
Acquired from a London, UK, gallery, 1980s.From a North American gentleman's collection, 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Bronze Lion Head Mount
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Discoid mount with a lion-head modelled in the round to the centre, the beast with fierce expression and gaping jaws; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 218 grams total, 10 cm high including stand
Private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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