Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A fine bronze instrument for medical examination cast with a thick handle and petaloid spatula. The spatula is not sharpened and was likely for probing or mixing ingredients. It has a slight midrib down the center of both sides. The cylindrical handle has a faceted shape that terminates with a volute end. A nice patina of green with russet areas covers the tool. Size: 6.5" L x 0.5" W (16.5 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: private San Diego, California, USA collection, acquired from the 1980s to 2000s, purchased March 24, 2001 from Alcala Gallery, La Jolla, California, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#163262

Stable fissure across and down tip of handle. Spatula is intact. Nice patina and mineral deposits.