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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF THE DUKES OF NORTHUMBERLAND

A ROMAN MARBLE CINERARY URN

1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN MARBLE CINERARY URN
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
With gabled lid, the front with rectangular panel inscribed: P.VIBIVS/P (ubliorum) L (ibertus) /DAPHNVS, 'Publius Vibius Daphnus freedman of the (two) Publii Vibii', framed by a ram's head at each corner with a garland of berries and fruit and hanging fillets suspended from their horns, four birds are below the panel eating from the garland, the sides decorated with crossed berried ivy branches and hanging fillets, the lid with palmette-rosette acroteria at each corner, the frontal pediment with two birds attacking an insect, leaf-shaped tiles cover the roof
14½ x 15½ x 13 in. (37 x 39.5 x 33 cm.) including lid

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of the Dukes of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland; acquired by Elizabeth (1716-1776), wife of the first Duke, who lived in Italy during the winters of the latter part of her life.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Greek names were very common among slaves and freedmen and Daphnus is one such example. The two Publii Vibii (doubling the letter - PP - is normal where two of anything are concerned) were probably brothers, with the same praenomen Publius (and nomen Vibius), but different cognomina (not mentioned here). For two brothers to have the same praenomen was perfectly acceptable, and their father will probably have had the same praenomen. 'Publius' will have been passed down to at least one of their descendants and all of their freed slaves. On the funerary inscriptions of freedmen, the praenomen of the patron is given just as the praenomen of the father would be given (filiation) for free born men.

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