Tabula ansata

[1] It was a favorite form for votive tablets in Imperial Rome.

[2] 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] 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.

Tabulae ansatae from the sanctuary of Isis and Magna Mater in Mainz
Tabula ansata relief on the tomb of Charles, Count of Maine attributed to Francesco Laurana , in Le Mans Cathedral
A tabula ansata on the right side of the boss on a soldier shield, metope XXIV from Tropaeum Traiani