|
Date: |
|
Description: | A copper alloy Roman wax spatula in the shape of the goddess Minerva. Overall the object is quite corroded. The head has a helmet with large crest, with a raised rim bordering the edge of the helmet. The facial features are almost entirely indistinguishable with only one cheek and the bridge of the nose discernible. The face narrows to form an elongated neck, which widens to meet the shoulders, which extend downwards. The chest has a raised diagonal ridge on either side, which are also visible on the reverse, these ridges meet at raised transverse ridge, on both the front and back, approximately half way down the chest; these appear to depict clothing. The left side of her body has suffered damage and appears to be missing a rounded arm which is depicted on her right. The chest tapers to form a narrowed waist which has two raised transverse bands, creating a border between Minerva and the lower portion of the spatula. The lower portion of the spatula is very corroded and uneven, the handle extends vertically and flares out slightly on the left side; this area is undecorated and the faces are flat. When viewing the cross-section of the handle terminal, two transverse slots are visible, which would have once held the iron spatula blade. The spatula measures 63.4 mm in length, 18.7 mm wide, 18.3 mm thick and weighs 31.14 g. A number of similar spatulas are recorded on the PAS database, such as SF8530, SF-3292E6 and LIN-F37090. Nina Crummy has produced a catalogue and discussion of wax spatula handles in the form of Minerva (Feugere type A5). They are believed to date from the 2nd and early 3rd centuries. The spatulas were used for smoothing down large areas of wax on writing tablets. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and learning, so is appropriate for such an object, but Crummy also points out that when detached the handle functions perfectly well as a simple figurine of Minerva. As she was also a goddess of healing, it may then have been used as an amulet or votive offering (Crummy 2002, 6-8).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
SPATULA
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
spatula
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
SPATULA
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
SPATULA
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
SPATULA
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
SPATULA
Cast copper-alloy handle from a…
-
spatula
The worn cast copper-alloy head…
-
SPATULA
The worn cast copper-alloy head…
-
SPATULA
The worn cast copper-alloy head…
|