古代ローマ人 ブロンズ Tweezers - 56 mm (No reserve price)

Ancient Roman Bronze Tweezers

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 56 mm
Condition: Good condition. Complete and functional form preserved, with attractive ancient patina and minor wear consistent with age.

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 183

The current owner purchased the Ancient Roman bronze tweezers from a private collector, N.N. in Drunen.

The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from Drunen (the Netherlands), stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1980s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:

This bronze pair of Roman tweezers represents a common yet essential personal grooming implement from the Roman Imperial period. Formed from a single strip of bronze folded at one end, the spring tension allowed the opposing arms to grip small objects or remove unwanted hair. Examples of this type are frequently recovered from Roman settlements, military sites, villas, and burial contexts throughout the Empire.

Personal appearance and hygiene played an important role in Roman daily life. Tweezers were widely used by both men and women for grooming, particularly for the removal of facial and body hair. Ancient literary sources indicate that careful personal presentation was regarded as a sign of refinement and social status. Such instruments formed part of the standard toiletry equipment owned by many Romans.

Roman tweezers were often carried together with other grooming tools such as nail cleaners, ear scoops, and small cosmetic implements. These sets were frequently suspended from rings or chains and kept readily available for everyday use. Compact, durable, and practical, bronze tweezers became a familiar object across all levels of Roman society.

The production of grooming implements reflects the high level of craftsmanship achieved by Roman metalworkers. Bronze was ideally suited for such objects due to its durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion. Standardised forms such as this were manufactured throughout the Empire and distributed through extensive trade networks, reaching regions from Britain and Gaul to the Balkans, North Africa, and the Near East.

Dating to the 1st–2nd century A.D., during the height of the Roman Empire, this object offers valuable insight into the everyday habits of ordinary people. Unlike luxury goods or ceremonial items, it is a personal possession that reflects the practical realities of daily life in the ancient world.

This piece provides a direct and physical link to the people of antiquity, where such objects were part of everyday life. It forms a tangible connection to the Roman world, in which personal care, appearance, and hygiene were important aspects of daily routine.