Roman Silver Ring with Palm Branch

The third and last tablet of a Roman will made by Iulius Pomp(onius?), parts of lost surface on the inner face, two small holes both at the upper and lower rim (for binding the tablets of this document together); on the inner face the recess inscribed with twenty-one lines of Roman cursive script consisting of testamentary dispositions regarding a special category of fields (gemiones), ending with the mancipatory formula of Roman testaments; on the outer face two sulci and signatures of witnesses. 106 grams, 20.2 x 16.2 cm



Acquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s. Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgium 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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12601-230811.

Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer writes: 'Without any doubts this tablet is an original document from Roman times. Because only few Roman testaments have survived this document is of great importance both for Roman Legal and Social History'.

With a bulbous body and trumpet-shaped neck, handle to the rear. 736 grams, 17.5 cm



Ex London art market 1990s. From a London, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Penannular hollow-form bracelet formed from a spiral-wound rod with an end-cap and loop; closure by means of a hollow-formed cap with fluted sidewall and dome to upper face with granulation detailing. 35.78 grams, 80 mm



with Bukowski's Stockholm, December 2002, no.719. Acquired by the current owner from the above. Private collection, Stockholm. Accompanied by copies of a Swedish cultural export licence, no. RAA-2025-1646. 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 search certificate number no.12958-242701.

Such bracelets were widespread in the Roman period, during the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., with a variation of dimensions, bezels and materials. On some artefacts, the sleeves making up the twist were hollow tubes filled with stucco, resin or plaster, preventing them from deforming. The stucco was left in the sleeve to give it a greater impact resistance, but this did not allow for longer welding of the tubes by fire, because the composition would boil.