Roman Iridescent Tall Glass Unguentarium

Formed as two opposed dolphins with s-curved bodies terminating in vine leaves, vesica held between their open mouths; plano-convex in section with openwork. 59 grams, 12 cm



From an old English collection formed since 1960.

Well preserved rectangular tablet made of cedar wood with a recessed panel to the inner face, the outer face flat and not inscribed; the second and last tablet of a Roman sales contract; the inner face inscribed in Roman cursive script using ink and calamus, fourteen lines of Roman cursive script written within the recess; two small holes both near the upper and lower rim (for binding the tablets of this document together); the text consists of dispositions regarding the sale of a special category of land (gemiones) and ends with the obligatory stipulatio formula: 'stipulata est Macrinia B., spopondidit Iulius L. – Macrinia B. stipulated, Iulius L. (as the vendor) gave the counter promise'. 44.3 grams, 15.6 x 14.1 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 an illustrated academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer.

Composed of cylindrical beads, the central feature an oblate black glass bead with a smaller carnelian bead below; restrung. 8.79 grams, 46 cm long



From an English private collection, 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.