Late Byzantine Silver Spoon with 'St Peter' Inscription on the Handle

拍品描述

Late 6th-8th century A.D. Featuring a large, shallow piriform bowl, stepped junction with a boar's head above, a hexagonal-section stem extending from behind the boar's neck bearing a Greek inscription 'TTETPOY' (of Peter); a balustered handle with a cuboid, striated finial. Cf. Shelton, K.J., The Esquiline Treasure, London, 1981, item 27, for type; Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 909. 60.77 grams, 21.5 cm (8 1/2 in.). Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, Surrey, UK. The inscription suggests that the spoon may have had a liturgical purpose, associated with the Holy Communion. Still today in the Orthodox Church, the Body and Blood of Christ are dispensed with similar liturgical objects. The name Peter can be associated with the church, or simply with the owner of the liturgical artefact. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.

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