Description:

Roman, later Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. An ornate spoon made from solid silver, one of the finest examples of a cochlearium that we have seen. The bowl is shaped like a rounded flask in cross section, and the handle narrows slightly at the end for use in extracting snails or seafood from their shells. The bowl is joined to the handle by a tightly curved, thick piece of silver with a vaguely zoomorphic form suggestive of the maned head of a lion. Size: 1" W x 8.4" H (2.5 cm x 21.3 cm); 24.6 grams

The spoon is a fascinating cultural object, often a prized personal item at a time when the average person owned very little. Spoons made of precious metal were so highly valued that they were often listed in inventories of noble households. In fact, they were so treasured that cochlearia made of silver have been found in treasure hoards.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection

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#133055

  • Condition: Slight bending to form. Dark patina on surface with small areas of chipping/pitting.

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August 2, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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