Fine Roman Silver Specillum

£ 495.00

An ancient Roman specillum made of silver. It features a turned knop at one end, and a shaft tapering along the length to a shallow bowl at the other end.

 

Period: Circa 1st-3rd century AD.
Condition: Complete and intact with good metalwork. Mounted on a purpose-made metal stand.

SOLD

SKU: AS-3724 Category:

Deriving their knowledge in from the Etruscans, Egyptians, Persians, and other conquered peoples, the Romans devised one of the best and most sophisticated medical systems of the ancient world. They were influenced predominantly, however, by the ancient Greeks: the Roman adopted many ideas from Greek medicine, with the first doctors to appear in Rome also from Greece.

The ‘specillum’ was a small spoon was used for handling unguents, either by a doctor or pharmacist, or as a domestic cosmetic article by a wealthy person.

To find out more about Roman medicine please see our relevant blog post: Roman Medicine and Medical Tools.

Weight 164.2 g
Dimensions L 14.9 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For similar, see item 181; Ancient Brooches and other Artefacts; Richard Hattatt.