Ancient Roman Silver Surgical / Medical tool
16
days
09
hours
59
minutes
24
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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Ancient Roman silver surgical/medical tool, about 115.7 mm long, dating to the 2nd–3rd century AD, in good condition with an angled circular bowl and a spatula at the opposite end; original/authentic.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Roman silver alloy surgical / medical tool with a circular bowl, set at an angle on a short stem. The opposite end terminates in a spatula. The stem is decorated with a twisted design, designed to improve grip.
-> Such dual-ended instruments were commonly employed in Roman medical practice or personal-care purposes. Its functions could range from the application or removal of medicaments, stirring mixtures to minor surgical procedures. The spoon end may have been used for measuring or transferring ointments, while the spatula may have served for stirring and spreading preparations or as a small depressor during medical treatment.
Length: ± 115,7 mm
Condition: good solid condition. The silver displays an attractive aged surface with dark toning, fine scratches and areas of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Roman physicians and pharmacists used a wide range of specialised probes, spoons and spatulas whose basic forms are often remarkably similar to later medical instruments. Spoon probes were particularly useful for taking medicines from narrow containers and mixing ointments, while spatulas could be used to prepare and apply medicinal substances.
Such tools were also used for cosmetics, illustrating how closely medicine, pharmacy and personal grooming were connected in Roman daily life.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Roman silver alloy surgical / medical tool with a circular bowl, set at an angle on a short stem. The opposite end terminates in a spatula. The stem is decorated with a twisted design, designed to improve grip.
-> Such dual-ended instruments were commonly employed in Roman medical practice or personal-care purposes. Its functions could range from the application or removal of medicaments, stirring mixtures to minor surgical procedures. The spoon end may have been used for measuring or transferring ointments, while the spatula may have served for stirring and spreading preparations or as a small depressor during medical treatment.
Length: ± 115,7 mm
Condition: good solid condition. The silver displays an attractive aged surface with dark toning, fine scratches and areas of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Roman physicians and pharmacists used a wide range of specialised probes, spoons and spatulas whose basic forms are often remarkably similar to later medical instruments. Spoon probes were particularly useful for taking medicines from narrow containers and mixing ointments, while spatulas could be used to prepare and apply medicinal substances.
Such tools were also used for cosmetics, illustrating how closely medicine, pharmacy and personal grooming were connected in Roman daily life.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd - 3rd century AD
Name of object
Surgical / Medical tool
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2025
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
