Lot 713
A Charming Spoon in Silver. Roman, 1st-2nd century AD. Derived from earlier Hellenistic prototypes, this example with rod-like, faintly tapering handle, and a shallow circular bowl with a lip or rim. Pointed, decorative finial at end. Spoon well preserved, slightly toned, and showing only moderate wear. Length: 5-1/4". Precious metal dinner utensils are still quite scarce. This pleasing and affordable.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400.
In antiquity, there were two basic spoon forms that were developed for dealing with liquid or semi-liquid foods. The ligula type is akin to our modern table spoon, with the elongated bowl. The second type, seen above, is the cochlear, wherein the bowl is circular, and somewhat small. It is so named because its use was associated with the eating of shellfish (mollusks), coclea in Latin: "a snail." The end of this class of spoons is often rounded or articulated, in order to help push the food out of the shell.
|
| |
| Unsold |
