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A Roman utensil handle attached to a perforated brass bowl
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A Roman utensil handle attached to a perforated brass bowl
The handle dates from the later Republic or first century of the Empire (e.g. first century AD)
Bronze handle with brass bowl
Length: 32cm, maximum
Length (handle): 19cm
Diameter (bowl at outside rim): 14cm
Length (handle): 19cm
Diameter (bowl at outside rim): 14cm
Museum number: DR9
Vermeule catalogue number: Vermeule 445
Not on display
Curatorial note
An oriental perforated brass bowl to which a bronze handle of Roman workmanship terminating in a ram's head has been fastened; the handle type, probably joined to the bowl not long prior to their acquisition by Soane, is a common Roman product belonging to the later Republic or first century of the Empire. These handles, with the bowls, etc. to which they were attached or seperately have been found frequently around Pompeii1.
The British Museum bronze collection contains at least ten ram's or wolf's head handles of the same general characteristics as this example. The fluting generally extends the entire length of the handle with the collar at the base of the head end. In one interesting, early, variant in the British Museum collection, a shovel possesses a handle ending in a sheep's head and with a figure of Hermes (?) sitting on the top2.
1 De Ridder, Louvre Bronzes, II, p. 138, no. 3028, pl. 106 and bibliography.
2 British Museum, Bronzes, no. 1227.
The British Museum bronze collection contains at least ten ram's or wolf's head handles of the same general characteristics as this example. The fluting generally extends the entire length of the handle with the collar at the base of the head end. In one interesting, early, variant in the British Museum collection, a shovel possesses a handle ending in a sheep's head and with a figure of Hermes (?) sitting on the top2.
1 De Ridder, Louvre Bronzes, II, p. 138, no. 3028, pl. 106 and bibliography.
2 British Museum, Bronzes, no. 1227.
Provenance
Purchased by Soane at the James Clark Sale (Christie's) 9 June 1802, Lot 29, An Aquamenarium, highly wrought, the handle elegantly ornamented with a ram's head £1.13.0.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk