Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleSpoon

About this objectThis cast bronze spoon has a tapered and pointed handle. The tapered point on the handle may have allowed the spoon to be used for opening shellfish. There is some evidence this spoon may have been of a type that was originally tin-plated, giving it the appearance of silver when new.

The ancient Greeks did not usually eat using cutlery. Knives were provided for special feasts, but for everyday eating the Greeks would probably not have used spoons or forks regularly.

Spoons made of bronze and silver were usually only affordable for the wealthy. Those that could not afford utensils made of these materials would have used spoons carved out of wood instead or simply used the bread that accompanied each meal to soak up the last of their meal.

Date Madec. 2nd century CE

Medium and MaterialsBronze

Style and IconographyGreco-Roman

TechniqueCasting (process)

TechniquePlating (metal coating)

MeasurementsHeight 175 mm, Width 35mm

Subject and Association KeywordsFood history

Subject and Association KeywordsSocial life and customs

Subject and Association KeywordsTableware

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by the PhiloLogie Society.

Object TypeFood Service Vessels

Object number228.18