Product description
The cera (Latin for tabula cerata – wax tablet) was a small writing board made from a hard material such as boxwood, beech, or even bone. In the center of the board was a recessed area filled with a layer of dark wax.
Writing was done on this wax layer using a stylus – a pointed tool made of metal, wood, or bone (Greek: stŷlos, Latin: stilus). With this tool, characters were scratched into the wax. If needed, the characters could easily be erased or smoothed over, making the tablet reusable.
These wax tablets were used for daily notes, reminders of tasks, debts, obligations, and as draft versions of texts that were later copied onto papyrus or parchment. Sealed wax tablets were also used for official purposes, such as drafting wills, transmitting secret orders, declarations, receipts, and even reports. The oldest known archaeological example of a wax tablet dates from the 7th century BCE, found in Etruria (Italy). In Europe, the use of wax tablets remained common until the mid-19th century.
Writing
Use the pointed end of the stylus to carve letters into the wax with light downward pressure.
Erasing
The flat end of the stylus is used to smooth the wax again. Hold the stylus flat, place your index finger on the flattened part, and move it in a pulling (not pushing) motion across the wax. This allows the tablet to be reused repeatedly.
This set consists of a wooden wax block with four writable surfaces, a brass stylus, and a matching red leather pouch that can be attached to a belt.
With the pointed end of the stylus, you can write in the wax, and the flat top can be used to erase it, making the block reusable multiple times. The block and pouch measure 13 × 10 × 3 cm, and the pouch is made of 2 mm thick cowhide leather.
