Ancient Roman Bronze Fish Hook - 35 mm (Zonder minimumprijs)

"Ancient Roman Bronze Fish Hook

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 35 mm
Condition: Good condition

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: 751
The current owner purchased this object from a reputable Dutch numismatic auction house in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Due to privacy regulations, the name of the previous owner could not be disclosed. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This bronze fish hook is a well-preserved example of the practical fishing equipment used throughout the Roman Empire. Its sharply curved profile, pronounced barb, and tapered shank were designed to securely retain fish once hooked, while allowing the hook to be firmly attached to a fishing line.

Fishing was an essential part of Roman daily life and the economy. Freshwater rivers, lakes, and coastal waters supplied fish for local consumption, urban markets, and the production of preserved fish products such as garum, the famous fermented fish sauce that was traded throughout the Empire. Roman fishermen employed a variety of equipment, including hooks, nets, traps, and harpoons, depending on the species and fishing environment.

Bronze hooks of this type were produced by skilled craftsmen who carefully forged and finished each piece to achieve an effective balance between strength and flexibility. Smaller examples such as this were particularly suited for catching medium-sized fish in rivers, lakes, and sheltered coastal waters. Similar hooks have been recovered from settlements, villas, military sites, and harbour contexts across the Roman world, demonstrating the widespread importance of fishing in everyday Roman life.

Dating to the 1st–2nd century A.D., this fish hook belongs to the height of the Roman Imperial period, when fishing supported both local communities and the wider economy of the Empire. It forms a tangible connection to the ancient world, where practical tools such as this played an essential role in providing food and sustaining daily life."