A decorated Roman Bronze Strigil, ca. 1st -2nd century CE
This object qualifies for free USA shipping and a flat rate fee of $60 if shipping internationally.
When viewing ancient athletic scenes, most often a basic "kit" was always included: a sponge, an aryballos, and a strigil. The strigil was a small, curved, metal tool used extensively by the Greeks and Romans and considered essential in caring for the skin. After covering the body with olive oil, it was used to scrape dirt and sweat from their bodies as part of the process of massage, cold or hot baths, exercise, or competitive games. The curved handle allowed the strigil to be hung on a wall, together with the sponge and the aryballos containing the oil (see RB2102 aryballos), and were often used in Roman baths. This strigil is a little more ornate than the usual utilitarian examples for it features a fine concave tapering blade, and is decorated on the handle and exterior of the blade with incised linear decoration, wavy lines, leaves, scrolls, and fish.
For a related example, see Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 97.24
Dimensions: Height: 10 3/4 inches (27 cm)
Condition: Loss to the side of the handle that does not detract, otherwise intact and in very good condition overall. On museum-quality custom mount.
Provenance: S. Zuckerman (1942-2017) collection, acquired from Tetragon, Portobello Road in the 1980s; and thence by descent to the present owner.
QUESTIONS? Just click the Contact Us tab on your right.
We ship Tuesday to Friday with FedEx and usually same day if your order is received before 2pm. Within the continental USA, packing, shipping and insurance is free. Depending on size and destination, delivery times range from one to five business days.
For overseas shipments we charge a small flat rate which includes packing, preparation of all customs paperwork, insurance and carrier fees in compliance with all USA and International customs requirements.
Overseas shipments are sent using FedEx International priority but contact us if you have a shipping preference. International customers are responsible for all duties and taxes.
Sands of Time provides a lifetime, unconditional guarantee of authenticity and provenance. Every object you purchase from us is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, stating culture, provenance, and age.
Furthermore, we conduct due diligence to ensure the item, to the best of our knowledge, has not been illegally obtained from an excavation, architectural monument, public institution, or private property. Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.
Choose options
Here’s to a Thanksgiving full of bounty, cheer, and food comas!
