Roman Lead Sarcophagus Fragment with Menorah

Group of three terracotta fragments with impressed stamps '[..]NVAC', 'LEG.AVG' and one marked freehand '[..}LITOF[..]'. 1.46 kg total, 13-15.4 cm



Found UK. From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.

The bricks belonged to the famous Legio II Augusta, (Legio II Gallica Augusta Sabina Britannica Felix) which since the 43 A.D. until the 5th century A.D. were linked to Britain. Its headquarters were at Isca Augusta or Isca Silurum (Newport in South Wales) and in the Late Empire at Rutupiae (Richborough). Traces of this legion were still found in Sub-Roman Britain and Sub-Roman Gallia in 5th-6th centuries A.D.

Comprising: the sole of a carbatina type shoe, formed as two thick layers of leather with a third, thinner layer beneath, slits to the upper face to accept securing straps and punched ornamentation (lines of concentric-ring motifs), underside with a line of domed iron studs to the outer edge and others at he middle of the sole and heel; a soft shoe made from a single piece of leather with pierced triangular tags to the open upper face, the toe and heel sewn so that the seam does not contact the ground; a similar soft shoe with openwork sides resembling arcading, no covering at the toes, heel sewn. 150 grams total, 13-17.5 cm



Found City of London, UK. Acquired from mudlark Steve Brooker in the early 2000s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Accompanied by several original handwritten letters regarding the conservation of the shoes. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12093-214631.

In Great Britain, examples of carbatinai dated to the last quarter of the 1st century A.D. have been found in Castleford. Others dated to the 2nd century have been found in London and Bar Hill. Carbatinae were often worn by children: two well-preserved specimens were discovered at the Vindolanda fort, which housed a mixed population of soldiers and their families.

With cylindrical transverse headplate, scoped profile to the bow, catch to the reverse; shallow enamelled cells with reserved 'VITA VENI' legend translating to: '(My) life, come (to me)', since the Romans used the word uita ('life') as a term of endearment – Cicero, for example, when writing to his wife, calls her mea uita ('my life'), equivalent to 'darling'. 20.6 grams, 39 mm



Found Suffolk, UK. From an East Anglian private collection.