Description:

Ancient Near East, early Byzantine Empire, ca. 5th to 8th century CE. An excellent cast-bronze bread stamp, of a rectangular form, with seven raised letters on its face and a loop handle on the verso. The well-aged appearance of this baking tool is brought forth by lustrous areas of pale-green, russet, and brown patina. Bread stamps were an important technological innovation in the Classical world, used to signify that bread came from an authentic bakery or that it was intended for a specific family. There was also bread made to be freely distributed, which was stamped with that information. Size: 2.375" L x 1.55" W x 1.875" H (6 cm x 3.9 cm x 4.8 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#132468

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, small nicks to verso, handle, and letters, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits within lettering face, and nice green, russet, and brown patina throughout.

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April 26, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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