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LOT 0658
Roman Silver Cochlear Spoon Inscribed 'May You Live in God'
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (13.5 grams, 13.4 cm).
Composed of a decoratively twisted slender stem with onion knop finial and roughly D-shaped neck formed as the arched neck of a horse, the restored oval bowl bearing a Latin inscription '[V]IVASINDEO' to the interior, the underside gently carinated. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Garcia collection, France, 1990s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. The British Museum, museum number 1994,0408.122, for this inscription on a similar spoon discovered as part of the Hoxne hoard.
FootnotesAccording to the British Museum, the inscription corresponds to the phrase 'Vivas in deo', meaning 'May you live in God'. This inscription was common in the Roman Empire and especially in Roman Britain after the advent of Christianity. A small Roman silver disc, thought to have been part of a signet ring, dated to 4th-5th century and found near Swaffham, is inscribed 'Antonius, may you live in God (Antoni, vivas in Deo)'. It is highly possible that our spoon, if a liturgical object, was used to administer Holy Communion.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0658
Roman Silver Cochlear Spoon Inscribed 'May You Live in God'
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Roman 'Thames' Decorated Samian Ware Pottery Collection
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Mostly from vessel rims and bowls and decorated in relief with architectural, foliate and geometric designs. 399 grams total, 3-14.5 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK. -
Roman Silver Ring with Bee Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Broad hoop with inset carnelian intaglio of a bee. 12.47 grams, 26.81 mm overall, 21.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s. -
Roman Gold Ring with Bust of a Lady
Late 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,940
Composed of a broad, flat-section hoop and a rectangular bezel displaying a high-relief bust of a lady in profile right. 6.15 grams, 18.78 mm overall, 16.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)
Acquired in the 1970s. From a deceased lady’s estate, by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.202900.
In 2014, a grave of a woman was discovered in Gerulata cemetery III, containing an unusual number of rings. The buried woman, aged 40-49, had two rings on each hand, one of which was a signet ring with a gem depicting the Egyptian deities Serapis and Isis, whose hairstyle and profile are identical to the present ring. Although, the bust of Isis is opposed to Serapis in the rings, the cult of the goddess was widespread inside the provinces already in the 1st century A.D.
