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LOT 0675
Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (33.07 grams, 33.29 mm overall, 18.64 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)).
Hoop with angled shoulders with fluting; inset with a polished and chipped agate stone; setting damaged.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Germany, 1970s.
Acquired 2009.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Spoon
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Deep circular bowl and narrow handle with lobe finial. 31.6 grams, 15 cm
English collection, early 2000s. Ex central London gallery. -
Roman Bronze Folding Spoon
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Featuring a 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. 15.5 grams, 14 cm
UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
As 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. -
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
Circa 3rd-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Displaying a monogram composed of Latin letters A and R; tapering round-section socket. 233 grams, 20.2 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The signacula used for branding were distinguished primarily by the presence of a relatively long metal arm, which could reach a length of 50 cm. This arm could sometimes be hollow to allow the insertion of a wooden handle. The presence of the long arm constitutes the main indication for the use of these signacula in the context of branding. Its length allowed the user to keep a safe distance from the source of heat.
