Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A collection of five bronze surgical instruments including a spatula probe (spathomele), a scalpel with a flanged blade tip, a second scalpel with a thin handle and an elongated blade, and two thin probes. Our knowledge of ancient Roman surgical instruments comes from excavations of places like Pompeii's House of the Surgeon, where a number of similar items were found preserved beneath the volcanic ash, and written descriptions in works like Hippocrates (5th century BCE) and Galen (2nd century CE). A beautiful and intact ensemble! Size of largest (spatula probe): 5.45" L (13.8 cm).

Provenance: private Carlton collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired between 1965 and 1980

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128041

  • Condition: All items have surface wear commensurate with age, slight bending to overall forms, minor nicks and chips to handles and tool ends, with mineral deposits and nice patina throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

December 20, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000