Memorial for Secundio

Memorial for Secundio

Marble

A rectangular marble memorial tablet with three lines of inscribed Latin. The finely carved lettering is enlivened with black pigment and sits within a wavy border. The top left corner has broken off where the 'SE' of SECUNDIONI would have been inscribed. The tablet is well-preserved with only minor damage and some chips along the edges. On either side of the vertical edges are two pierced holes, possibly for mounting. Remains of an iron rivet can be seen in the pierced hole on the right side. Faint chalk markings are visible on the corners of the bottom edge, possibly previous lot numbers(?). The inscription reads: "Philema, the wardrobe maid, for her brother Secundio, the steward of Caelia, 25 years old." Secundio's title sumptuarius is that of the trusted slave in charge of the household budget. The archaic English word 'sumptuary' is derived from it. Function: A memorial tablet identifying a niche in a colombarium for a house-slave. Set up by a sister (a vestispica presumably of the same household) for her brother.

Roman, Italy

Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, with funds from the Friends of Antiquity, 2013.

1 - AD 100

13.020

Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, with funds from the Friends of Antiquity, 2013.
Sold by Bonhams, London, Lot 335, 23rd October 2012.
Part of the Victor Gulotta Collection, Massachusetts, 2005-2012.
Part of the Lowther Castle Collection, Penrith, Cumbria, United Kingdom, 1848-1947.
Acquired by the Right Honourable William Lowther, the 2nd Earl of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle, between 1848-1868, from the estate of the Right Honourable Frederick Ponsonby, the 3rd Earl of Bessborogh 1793-1844.