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LOT 0868
Roman Tinned Bronze Cochlear Spoon
CIRCA 2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (6.91 grams, 13.5 cm).
Featuring a long, pointed handle and a round bowl. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a South London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 1970s; thence by descent 2006.
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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Romano-British 'Colchester' Decorated Terracotta Vase
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Black burnished ware jar with narrow foot, bulbous body with broad shoulder and flared rim to the mouth; circumferential band of rouetting to the shoulder; Type BB2; repaired. 530 grams, 15.5 cm
Discovered during renovations of Williams and Griffin, Colchester, Essex, UK, circa 1980s. -
Roman Iridescent Piriform Glass Bottle
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Tapering body with a long tubular neck and an inward-folded rim. 25.59 grams, 11.5 cm
Acquired in the 1990s from London dealerships and auction houses. From the Lonson collection. -
Jewish Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs of profile busts, three with Hebrew text to the reverse. 3.97 grams total, 12-17 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
