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Writing Exercise Tablet

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Wood, wax
  • Reportedly From: Upper Egypt, Egypt
  • DATES 4th century C.E.
    PERIOD Roman Period
    DIMENSIONS 6 3/4 x 5 3/16 x 1/4 in. (17.2 x 13.1 x 0.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1908E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Writing tablets, or pugillaris, belonging a schoolboy named Theophilos, son of Martyrios. Fifth of five wooden writing tablets bound together. The writing tablet grouping is arranged in the following order: 37.473E, 37.1909E, 37.474E, 37.1910E, and 37.1908E. The writing on the waxed surface of this tablet is illegible, and the opposite, unwaxed surface served as the back cover. Condition: Good. There is remnant black and red waxy material in the recess. The red may just be pigment; it is over the black and continues onto the borders. The two inner holes show evidence of wear on the flat side from cord overlapping the side edge, which does not correspond to the current lacing. The flat side is very worn, scratched and has black deposits.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Writing Exercise Tablet, 4th century C.E. Wood, wax, 6 3/4 x 5 3/16 x 1/4 in. (17.2 x 13.1 x 0.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1908E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 37.1908E_back_PS11.jpg)
    IMAGE back, 37.1908E_back_PS11.jpg., 2017
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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