Roman Silver Spoon, Circa 4th -6th Century AD

Shallow piriform bowl attached to a stepped baluster, square-section handle with knop finial. Cf. Shelton, K.J., The Esquiline Treasure, London, 1981, item 27, for type. 22 grams, 17.5 cm . Property of a UK gentleman; acquired in the 2000s from a European collector living in UK.. Fine condition. Cochlearia like this one have been discovered in treasure hoards. They were used in Christian times for administration of the Holy Communion. The absence of Christian symbolism or of a Christian inscription on this spoon might suggest that it dates from a pre-Christian era, or that its owner/commissioner was pagan, or simply that this spoon was intended for domestic use."

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