Tabula ansata
Tablet with dovetail handles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A tabula ansata or tabella ansata (Latin for "tablet with handles", plural tabulae ansatae or tabellae ansatae) is a tablet with dovetail handles.[1] It was a favorite form for votive tablets in Imperial Rome.[2]
Overview
Tabulae ansatae identifying soldiers' units have been found on the tegimenta (leather covers) of shields, for example in Vindonissa (Windisch, Switzerland).[3] Sculptural evidence, for example on the metopes from the Tropaeum Traiani (Adamclisi, Romania), shows that they were also used for the same purpose on the shields.[4]
Modern era
Tabulae ansatae have been used by modern artists from as early as the 15th century, as shown on the tomb of Charles, Count of Maine, attributed to Francesco Laurana, in Le Mans Cathedral.[5] The Statue of Liberty by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi is holding one such tablet on which "July IV MDCCLXXVI" is inscribed.
Gallery
Tabulae ansatae on soldiers' shields – metope from the Tropaeum Traiani, Archaeological Museum of Istanbul
Tabulae ansatae carried on sticks – Arch of Titus[5]
Tabula ansata on a mosaic in Ostia Antica
Tabula ansata on George Bancroft's bookplate
The Statue of Liberty (formally Liberty Enlightening the World) holds a tabula ansata inscribed with "July 4 1776" in Roman numerals
Detail of the Statue of Liberty's tabula
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