**Originally Listed At $450**

Late Roman to early Byzantine Period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A fabulous cast-bronze spoon head with a flared base and a curved lower terminal attached to the forked prongs of a cast-bronze handle with a lion-head finial. Beneath the handle is a slender bronze pick with a very sharp point, and projecting off the verso is a cast-carbon-steel knife blade with a thick shoulder and a sharpened edge. Both the spoon scoop and handle are covered in a thin layer of silver for an elegant presentation. Multi-functional examples of utilitarian utensils like this were oftentimes used by Roman legionaries when traversing across vast distances. Size: 6.8" L x 1" W (17.3 cm x 2.5 cm).

For a very elaborate version of this tool, please see the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England, accession number GR.1.1991: https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/collections/greeceandrome/70534

Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, acquired before 2013 from various auction houses in London and New York

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#140076

Restoration to pin securing spoon to handle, repair to pick beneath handle, and knife blade reattached to handle with light adhesive residue along break lines. Softening to some finer details, light abrasions to spoon, handle, and blade, and expected oxidation to carbon steel blade. Light earthen deposits and great patina throughout.