Roman Baptismal Spoon Inscribed DIV VIVAS

3RD CENTURY AD

6 1/4" (14 grams, 16cm).

A silver baptismal spoon with shallow scaphoid bowl with carinated underside, scrolled neck, square-section stem tapering to a round-section spike; the bowl inscribed in seriffed rustic capitals 'DIV VIVAS' (may you live in God?).

Provenance

Found Cambridgeshire, UK, recorded as potential Treasure Trove and returned to the finder in the late 1980s.

Published

Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with reference number CAM-DF2EAC; accompanied by a print out of the PAS report.

Literature

Cf. Johns, C.M. & Potter, T.W. The Canterbury Late Roman Treasure, in Antiquaries Journal, vol. LXV, 1985, item plate LIII, item U.3.

Footnotes

One of the spoons in the Canterbury Hoard was inscribed 'PIVMVIVAS'. Inscriptions containing 'VIVAS' (may you live) are usually considered Christian and associated with renewed life after baptism.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0342

Roman Baptismal Spoon Inscribed DIV VIVAS

Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,712

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