Loading, please wait...
LOT 0774
Roman Silver Folding 'Travel' Spoon
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (28 grams, 11.2 cm long).
A short silver spoon with shallow piriform bowl, raised neck with movable pinned hinge attached to the hexagonal-section handle and shortened polyhedral knob finial, allowing the handle to be folded into the bowl. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEarly 1990s London collection.
Acquired on the UK art market.
From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
Cf. Shelton, K.J., The Esquiline Treasure, London, 1981, item 27, for type.
FootnotesAs today, the spoon was used as a measure for dosage in ancient times. Both the cochlear and the ligula could have been used to measure different quantities, particularly in the practice of medicine and in the kitchen. Isidore (Origines, XVI, 26.3) tells us that the cochlear was the smallest unit size and was worth half a drachma.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Roman Gold Ring with Bird Gemstone
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A slender gold finger ring with inset green glass intaglio of a perching bird. 2.00 grams. 14.97 mm overall, 13.23 mm internal diameter
Acquired at Auction. English private collection. -
Roman Gold Ring with Portrait Gemstone
1st century B.C-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
A nicolo gemstone with profile portrait bust, set in a 2nd century A.D. hollow-formed gold ring with granule clusters to the shoulders. 2.55 grams, 23.99 mm overall, 16.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
UK private collection, since 1956. Formed in the 1950s by by Mr and Mrs S. Broukal, thence by decent. with Bonham's, London, New Bond Street, 30 November 2016, lot 155 [Part]. English private collection. -
Roman Triclinium Finial Set
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A set of four copper-alloy triclinium (bed) finials, each with a bell-shaped body and baluster style finial; hollow to base. 1.18 kg total, 9.6-10.1 cm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Romans, like the Greeks, ate whilst reclined on beds. The eating bed (lectus triclinaris) was a luxury furniture item crafted by carpenters. From the 2nd century B.C., Romans started to create 'lecti aerati, inargentati, inaurati, eborati, testudinei,' i.e. beds made of wood and covered with bronze, silver, gold and ivory fittings (as in our specimens) or with scales of other precious material. Such elements were sometimes sculpted in the shape of an animal protome, or were simply bell-shaped, like our specimens.
