An architectural element in veined marble, with mouldings on one side, the reverse of which has been re-used as a funerary plaque (or epitaph) possibly to a person named Donatus. The flat side carved with a sheep, a fruit tree, a dove and a fish and the word 'DONATVS'. The proper left side of the element with a jagged edge, the upper edge with losses. Minor scattered chips and losses throughout.
This marble likely originates from Hadrumetum, the ancient name of modern-day Sousse in Tunisia. Hadrumetum was one of the most vital cities in Roman North Africa after Carthage, owing to the rich agricultural productivity in the region. It played a major role in supplying grain to the Roman Empire. The city’s prosperity is reflected in its remarkable archaeological heritage, especially in the Roman mosaics which survive, and notable as in this case, for early Christian funerary artefacts from the expansive city necropolis.
Excavations in the Catacombs of Hermes and the Catacomb of the Good Shepherd have revealed a wealth of Christian iconography. Among the most notable is a marble tablet depicting the Good Shepherd - a figure carrying a sheep on his shoulders - symbolising Jesus as described in the Gospel of John and the parable of the lost sheep. Significant bomb damage to Sousse during World War II led to reconstruction efforts in the city in 1946 which in turn led to significant archeological discoveries around that time - among these were the Hadrumetum Punic votive inscriptions.
The re-use of this architectural element reflects a common practice in late Roman funerary contexts, particularly in necropoleis across Roman North Africa, where recycled masonry was frequently employed for memorial plaques. This practice became especially prevalent during the later Roman Empire, when economic pressures, material scarcity, and shifting urban infrastructure led to widespread use of spolia. In Christian burial sites, epitaphs were often placed within recessed wall niches, and the use of reused stone, simplified carvings, and minimal inscriptions typically points to individuals of modest social status. This example, with its crude execution and lack of elaborate decoration, is consistent with broader patterns observed in early Christian funerary practices of the period.
In early Romano-Christian culture, symbols like the fish, bird, tree, and sheep held deep meaning and often appeared on tombstones or epitaphs. The fish symbolised Jesus Christ and was used secretly among believers; the bird, often a dove, represented the soul’s peaceful journey to heaven; the tree stood for eternal life and sometimes the cross; and the sheep symbolised Christians as followers of Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Provenance
Mr. G.D., a French citizen who lived in Sousse, Tunisia, likely acquired there between 1949 and 1972
Property of Mr G.D; Hôtel des Ventes de Montpellier, France, 2nd December 2015, lot 161
Private collection, France; acquired above, until 2024
Mr. G.D. was a professor of philosophy based in Sousse from 1949 until 1972, at which point he left his post to take up a position in Japan. According to his son, who wrote the preface to the sale of his collection on 2nd December 2015, it was during his time in Sousse that he discovered Tunisia’s remarkable ancient sites. He traveled extensively throughout the country, developing a deep passion for its rich and diverse culture. He began collecting humble artefacts, which belonged to “simple souls.”
At the time of the sale of his collection in 2015 all items were cleared by the OCBC (French Central Office for the Fight against Trafficking in Cultural Property) in collaboration with the Embassy of Tunisia - who confirmed the lawful acquisition of these objects.
