Roman stylus

ITEM: Stylus
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 120 mm x 5 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Bader (1976), Ex private collection, M.E.S., Switzerland

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Roman stylus (stilus) was an essential writing tool used for inscribing text onto wax tablets, a common method for recording notes, calculations, and correspondence in the ancient world. Typically made of metal—such as bronze, iron, or even silver for more elaborate versions—the stylus was designed with a pointed tip for writing and a flattened, spatula-like end for smoothing the wax and erasing mistakes. This practical dual-purpose design made the stylus an indispensable tool for students, merchants, scribes, and officials throughout the Roman Republic and Empire. Wooden and bone versions also existed, though they were less durable than their metal counterparts.

Styluses varied in size and decoration, reflecting the status of their owners. Simple iron or bronze styluses were common for everyday use, while wealthier individuals might possess finely crafted examples with engraved designs or personalized inscriptions. Some styluses bore Latin phrases or owners’ names, indicating their value as personal belongings. The stylus was often used in conjunction with wooden-framed wax tablets, which could be closed like a notebook for repeated use. This method of writing was especially useful for temporary records, school exercises, and drafts before committing text to more permanent materials like papyrus or parchment.