ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Roman Fragment Inscribed Domina Victoria, 350-430 AD

Roman fragment with a tabula ansata inscribed DOMIN[A] VICTOR[IA], an acclamation translatable as "Lady, victory (is yours)!"

The inscription is connected to Saint Thecla, whose upper arm and blurred hand appear below.

Saint Thecla was a companion of Saint Paul, and an important figure in the Christian imagery of Roman North Africa.

For a dish showing Saint Thecla in the arena together with lions and the inscribed tablet, cf. item no. 49, pp. 59-60 in: Herrmann, van den Hoek, 2003.

Fragment of a shallow bowl, Hayes form 53A, with grooves on the inside face and along the flat base on the outside.
Hayes 1021-1043 – fig. 32, pp. 222-223, pl. 51-52.

Rare example. Reconstituted from two shards.

H. 7.1 cm (2.8 in)
W. 7.7 cm (3 in)

French private collection, sold at Marseille Enchères Provence.

460 USD
 

John J. Herrmann, Annewies van den Hoek. Light from the Age of Augustine. Late African Ceramics from North Africa (Tunisia). Austin 2003.
John W. Hayes. Roman Pottery and Fine-Ware Imports. The Athenian Agora. Vol. 32. Princeton 2008.