Findspot record TR 34 SW 1235 - Roman Silver Toilet Spoon, near the Roman 'Painted House', Dover

Summary

This fine toilet spoon or ligular, was found in 1983 during excavations undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit within the town centre, just off Cannon Street, near the Roman Painted House. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information).

Location

Grid reference TR 3184 4146 (point) Estimated from sources
Map sheet TR34SW
County KENT
District DOVER, KENT
Civil Parish DOVER, DOVER, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Taken from source:

This fine toilet spoon or ligular, was found in 1983 during excavations within the town centre, just off Cannon Street, near the Roman Painted House. It was discovered in a late Roman demolition deposit overlying the clay floor and probably relates to a timber building which once stood on the site. The object is finely made from silver and is 7cm long. It consists of a small oval spoon separated from a long 'barley-sugar' twisted shaft by a small bead. At the base of the shaft there is a small spherical pommel which is clasped in a well-shaped human hand. The base of the hand has a bead and spool decorative finish giving way to a square shank that is clearly fitted into a handle of some sort. Ligulae with long or oval shaped spoon ends are generally recognised as being used for the extraction of cosmetics, salves or ointments from small flasks or pots. Some examples have been found with medical instruments, but most appear to have belonged to toilet sets. The fine highly decorative finish of this example, suggests that it may well have formed part of a Roman lady’s toilet set, dating probably to the third or fourth centuries AD. (1)


<1> Council for Kentish Archaeology, 1987, Kent Archaeological Review;Roman Silver Toilet Spoon, Dover, Vol. 89 (Article in serial). SKE31758.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Article in serial: Council for Kentish Archaeology. 1987. Kent Archaeological Review;Roman Silver Toilet Spoon, Dover, Vol. 89. Vol. 89, page 193.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Rescue Excavation Dover Town Centre, Painted House and Bingo Hall Sites (EKE4658)
  • Event Boundary: Rescue excavations within Dover Town Centre ahead of development of York Street, Dover (EKE15656)

Record last edited

Apr 3 2023 12:49PM