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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 Bronze Oinochoe with Lion Protome
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
The conical body decorated with overlapping petal-shaped panels, tapering neck with a wide spout, high arching handle with acanthus leaves, bust of a youthful male with long hair below (possibly Bacchus) the upper part terminating with a lion protome with the extended forelegs resting on the rim of the vessel, the high flaring foot possibly added later. 797 grams, 22.5 cm high
Excellent condition
Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11734-201200.
Considering the primary function of oinochoe as drinking jugs, the images decorating them were often related to the god of wine, Bacchus, here probably represented as young Dionysus accompanied by a lion. -
Roman Bronze and Silver Stylus Group
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising: one silver with extended tapering stem, balustered upper body and eraser to top; one bronze with tapering stem, balustered mid-section and eraser to top, the upper body decorated with hatched lozenges. 15.1 grams total, 9.5-11.1 cm
From the collection of an EU gentleman formed around 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. -
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Roman Bronze Standing Ram
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing, standing facing with detailing to the face, horns, tufted coat and hooves. 73 grams, 50 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
