Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 200 to 300 CE. We may have sporks, but the ancient Romans have knoons, of which this is a nicely-preserved example, with the iron blade remaining - a rare find, as iron artifacts are usually not well preserved from this time period. This Roman equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife had a silver spoon, a silver pick, and an iron blade, with a silver crouched lion figure running along its handle. The hinge on the pick and the pin that allowed movement of the spoon bowl are present and clear, although now frozen by time. Imagine the Roman legionary who owned this multi-functional piece! Size: 0.95" W x 7.25" H (2.4 cm x 18.4 cm)

See a very elaborate version of this tool at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/collections/greeceandrome/70534

Provenance: ex private Cypress, Texas, USA collection, ex R. Johnson collection via family descent acquired around 2010

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#132923

  • Condition: Dark patina on silver surfaces. Iron blade is in very nice condition, with an oxidized patina and clear form. Hinges and pins are all frozen in place.

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July 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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