Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous example of a cast bronze ceremonial ladle with a round bowl and a long handle. The handle has a finial in the form of a gazelle's head, with a wide eye and twisted bronze forming its antlers. The rim has two upwardly-curved flourishes, one on either side. The bronze has attained a glowing, almost golden, patina. The gazelle is an interesting and rare animal to see depicted in Roman art, and appears more often in Egyptian art, where the animals were hunted and sometimes kept in royal game reserves - perhaps an influence of this piece's creator. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2.6" L x 2.5" W x 10.25" H (6.6 cm x 6.4 cm x 26 cm); height on stand: 9.9" (25.1 cm)

The ladle - a simpulum or simpuvium - was used to make libations and to taste wines and liquors that were poured on the heads of sacrificial victims. They were a sign of the Roman priesthood and today are one of the insignia of the College of Pontiffs of the Roman Catholic Church. They are often depicted on coins with other sacrificial and augural instruments.

cf, "Silver for the Gods", Toledo, 1977, pg., 46, no. 15.

Provenance: ex-private German collection

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#123450

  • Condition: Small, ancient loss to flourish on one side of the bowl's rim. Dark, shiny patina with light encrustation on surface, especially in the bowl.

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June 28, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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