Unguent Spoon

1914.05.0025

Thumbnail of Unguent Spoon (1914.05.0025)

Detailed Images

Basic Information

Artifact Identification Unguent Spoon   (1914.05.0025)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Personal Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Toilet Articles
  4. :
  5. Hygiene Artifacts
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Ptolemaic?, 305 – 30 BCE
Culture Egyptian

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Length) 18.0 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 1.4 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 0.5 cm
Weight 15 g
Measuring Remarks None
Materials Metal--Bronze
Manufacturing Processes Forging--Cold
Munsell Color Information Moderate Yellow Green (7.5GY 5/4)

Research Remarks

Published Description

"The cyathiscomele, a combination of olivary probe and elongated, narrow spoon, was used by Egyptians to apply cosmetic ointments and pigments, and was probably adopted by medical men for their own purposes. The spoon was used to withdraw medicinal powders and ointments from containers; the olivary (the oval enlargement) to mix and apply them. The olivary could be used, alternatively, in a manner similar to catalogue number 123 as a probe and cautery. Numerous examples of the cyathiscomele have been found at sites throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. See Kunzel, p. 72, fig. 83, no. 4 (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Trier), p. 91, fig. 69, nos. 2, 3 (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn), p. 98, fig. 78 (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn), p. 104, fig. 83, no. 6 (Museo Civico di Brescia), p. 123, fig. 97 (private collection); Tabanelli, pl. XXXVII (Museo Romano Germanico di Magonza); Milne, pp. 61-63, pls. XIV, 3, XV, 1." -Eunice Dauterman Maguire, Henry Maguire and Maggie J. Duncan-Flowers, Art and Holy Powers in the Early Christian House (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1989), 204.

Description N/A
Comparanda N/A
Bibliography

James, T.G.H. Excavating in Egypt: The Egypt Exploration Society 1882-1982. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982. The British Museum. Antinoupolis at the British Museum Online Catalog. https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/research_projects/all_current_projects/antinoupolis.aspx Griffith Institute Archives, University of Oxford. John de Monins Johnson photographic negatives. http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/gri/4johnson.html Maguire, Eunice Dauterman, Henry Maguire and Maggie J. Duncan-Flowers. Art and Holy Powers in the Early Christian House. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1989.

Artifact History

Archaeological Data N/A
Credit Line/Dedication Egypt Exploration Society
Reproduction No
Reproduction Information N/A

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