Ancient Roman Marble Funerary slab with inscription - 33.5 cm
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Current bid
€ 1,300
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 4,000 - € 4,900
 | €1,300 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1,200 | |
| €650 | |
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Funerary slab with inscription, marble, Roman, 1st–2nd Century A.D., 335 × 245 × 57 mm, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
ITEM: Funerary slab with inscription
MATERIAL: Marble
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 335 mm x 245 mm x 57 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Austrian private collection, O. B., acquired in Zurich in 1979
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.
If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.
Roman funerary slabs crafted from marble represent one of the most enduring legacies of the empire's commemorative traditions. These markers, often referred to as stelae or plaques, were designed to be set into the walls of collective tombs, such as columbaria, or placed atop individual graves. The choice of marble was a deliberate statement of permanence and social standing, providing a smooth, bright surface that allowed for high-quality carving. Over time, the design of these slabs evolved from simple rectangular blocks to more decorative forms featuring architectural elements like pediments, pilasters, or ornate borders that framed the text.
The inscriptions on these slabs typically follow a highly standardized legal and social formula, often beginning with the abbreviation D.M. (Diis Manibus), dedicating the monument to the "Manes" or ancestral spirits of the deceased. The text provides a wealth of biographical data, including the individual's full name, age at the time of death (often recorded down to the days and hours), and their social status or profession. In many cases, the slab also names the person who commissioned the monument—frequently a spouse, parent, or former master—offering a poignant glimpse into the familial and social bonds that defined Roman life.
Beyond the literal meaning of the words, the paleography and craftsmanship of the lettering itself reveal much about the Roman world. Professional stonecutters used "capitalis monumentalis," a style of lettering characterized by its geometric precision and the use of serifs, which helped the characters remain legible even when viewed from a distance or under shifting light. Many slabs also incorporated symbolic motifs alongside the text, such as laurel wreaths for victory over death, tools representing the deceased’s trade, or small portraits. These marble records served as a vital "social survival" mechanism, ensuring that the name and memory of the individual would endure in the public eye long after they had passed.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Funerary slab with inscription
MATERIAL: Marble
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 335 mm x 245 mm x 57 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Austrian private collection, O. B., acquired in Zurich in 1979
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.
If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.
Roman funerary slabs crafted from marble represent one of the most enduring legacies of the empire's commemorative traditions. These markers, often referred to as stelae or plaques, were designed to be set into the walls of collective tombs, such as columbaria, or placed atop individual graves. The choice of marble was a deliberate statement of permanence and social standing, providing a smooth, bright surface that allowed for high-quality carving. Over time, the design of these slabs evolved from simple rectangular blocks to more decorative forms featuring architectural elements like pediments, pilasters, or ornate borders that framed the text.
The inscriptions on these slabs typically follow a highly standardized legal and social formula, often beginning with the abbreviation D.M. (Diis Manibus), dedicating the monument to the "Manes" or ancestral spirits of the deceased. The text provides a wealth of biographical data, including the individual's full name, age at the time of death (often recorded down to the days and hours), and their social status or profession. In many cases, the slab also names the person who commissioned the monument—frequently a spouse, parent, or former master—offering a poignant glimpse into the familial and social bonds that defined Roman life.
Beyond the literal meaning of the words, the paleography and craftsmanship of the lettering itself reveal much about the Roman world. Professional stonecutters used "capitalis monumentalis," a style of lettering characterized by its geometric precision and the use of serifs, which helped the characters remain legible even when viewed from a distance or under shifting light. Many slabs also incorporated symbolic motifs alongside the text, such as laurel wreaths for victory over death, tools representing the deceased’s trade, or small portraits. These marble records served as a vital "social survival" mechanism, ensuring that the name and memory of the individual would endure in the public eye long after they had passed.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd Century A.D
Name of object
Funerary slab with inscription
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Marble
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Height
33.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Width
24.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Depth
5.7 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
