古罗马 高卢-罗马铁汤勺（Simpulum）— 55 厘米。西班牙出口许可 (没有保留价)

Rare Monumental Gallo-Roman Iron Ladle (Simpulum) — 55 cm

Overview
An exceptional and rare example of a monumental Roman provincial utilitarian iron ladle (Spatha / Simpulum), designed for heavy-duty use in military encampments or large estate kitchens (instrumentum domesticum). This piece stands out due to its monumental length, professional forging, and remarkable state of preservation for ancient ironware.

Technical Specifications
Culture: Gallo-Roman / Roman Provincial
Period: 1st – 3rd Century AD (High to Mid-Imperial Period)
Material: Hot-forged iron
Total Length: 55.0 cm

Provenance: Ex-private European collection 1970

Detailed Description & Typology
The handle is meticulously crafted from a solid iron bar with a distinct rectangular section measuring 6.7 mm in thickness. This thickness was structurally necessary to provide the required torsional rigidity, ensuring the tool would not bend when lifting heavy food portions from deep cauldrons.

The terminal is a testament to the advanced skill of Roman blacksmiths (fabri ferrarii). Before terminating, the iron bar widens into an elegant, flat lanceolate (leaf-shaped) expansion designed for optimal balance and handling. It then curves into a functional suspension hook, meticulously finished with a folded button/scroll terminal to prevent slippage when hung on hearth chains or kitchen racks.

The hemispherical bowl (cazoleta) is hand-hammered from a single iron sheet and seamlessly integrated into the neck through ancient forge-welding.

Museum Parallel & Imperial Standardization
This artifact perfectly demonstrates the rigorous standardization of utilitarian equipment across the Roman Empire. Its specific modular dimensions, handle profile, and terminal layout find an exact morphological parallel in a luxury bronze specimen preserved in the British Museum (Registration Number: 1913,0724.3), recovered from the ancient site of Beth She'an (Scythopolis, Levant).
While the British Museum specimen represents a prestigious bronze variant from the Eastern Empire, this item represents the robust, authentic iron counterpart utilized in the Western provinces (Gallia), making it a highly desirable piece for collectors of Roman military life and provincial instrumentum domesticum.

Condition Report
Structure: Completely intact main structure, exceptionally solid and stable.

Surface/Patina: Features a beautiful, genuine archaeological patina with deep, multi-layered dark mineralization (magnetite/limonite matrix) resulting from centuries of burial in an oxidizing environment.

Wear/Damages: Displays a historical, jagged corrosion loss on the upper rim of the bowl. A minor ancient stress crack is visible on the neck of the lanceolate terminal; this crack is completely filled and sealed with ancient oxide, confirming its absolute antiquity and structural stability.

Restorations: Strictly no modern restorations, no welding, and no chemical alterations. The piece remains in its unmanipulated, authentic state.

Sold with a certificate of authenticity and a Spanish export licence