Ancient Roman Bronze Fragmentary plaque with incised inscription
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Current bid
€ 200
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,100 - € 1,400
 | €200 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €2 | |
 | €1 |
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Ancient Roman bronze fragmentary plaque with an incised inscription, dating to the 3rd–4th century A.D., in good condition, measuring 118 mm by 50 mm, originating from an English private collection and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity and Export licence.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
ITEM: Fragmentary plaque with incised inscription
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 3rd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 118 mm x 50 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990
Fragmentary Roman bronze plaques bearing incised inscriptions represent vital official records from the administrative, military, and religious life of the Roman Empire. Cast into thin sheet metal or hammered sheets, these bronze tablets (tabulae) were deeply engraved using a sharp iron burin or chisel to execute neat, capitalis quadrata or rustica Latin lettering. Plaques were often pre-drilled with perimeter holes for nailing onto the walls of public basilicas, temples, or military headquarters (principia). Over centuries buried in soil or submerged in water, the copper alloy develops a characteristic green or dark olive malachite patina, while jagged fracture lines reflect ancient destruction or intentional recycling of valuable metal scrap.
The nature of the text on such fragments varied widely depending on the plaque's original civic or sacred context. Many surviving fragments belong to Roman military diplomas (diplomata militaria), which officially granted Roman citizenship and discharge rights (honesta missio) to auxiliary veterans after twenty-five years of service. Other bronze plaques recorded municipal charters (leges), senatorial decrees, land boundary surveys, public treaties, or formal votive offerings (vota) dedicated to deities in sanctuaries. Because bronze was a durable yet costly medium, its use was reserved for legal decrees and official documents intended to be publicly displayed as permanent, authoritative law.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
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: Fragmentary plaque with incised inscription
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 3rd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 118 mm x 50 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990
Fragmentary Roman bronze plaques bearing incised inscriptions represent vital official records from the administrative, military, and religious life of the Roman Empire. Cast into thin sheet metal or hammered sheets, these bronze tablets (tabulae) were deeply engraved using a sharp iron burin or chisel to execute neat, capitalis quadrata or rustica Latin lettering. Plaques were often pre-drilled with perimeter holes for nailing onto the walls of public basilicas, temples, or military headquarters (principia). Over centuries buried in soil or submerged in water, the copper alloy develops a characteristic green or dark olive malachite patina, while jagged fracture lines reflect ancient destruction or intentional recycling of valuable metal scrap.
The nature of the text on such fragments varied widely depending on the plaque's original civic or sacred context. Many surviving fragments belong to Roman military diplomas (diplomata militaria), which officially granted Roman citizenship and discharge rights (honesta missio) to auxiliary veterans after twenty-five years of service. Other bronze plaques recorded municipal charters (leges), senatorial decrees, land boundary surveys, public treaties, or formal votive offerings (vota) dedicated to deities in sanctuaries. Because bronze was a durable yet costly medium, its use was reserved for legal decrees and official documents intended to be publicly displayed as permanent, authoritative law.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
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
3rd - 4th Century A.D
Name of object
Fragmentary plaque with incised inscription
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Austria
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.
