{"product_id":"ancient-roman-bronze-simpulum-ladle-with-long-handle-imperial-period","title":"Ancient Roman Bronze Simpulum Ladle with Long Handle | Imperial Period | Circa 1st – 3rd Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Empire, Mediterranean region\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bronze or copper alloy with blue-green patina and mineral accretions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThis ancient Roman bronze ladle, traditionally known as a simpulum, features a deep hemispherical bowl surmounted by an exceptionally long, slightly curving flat-section handle.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe rounded bowl was fashioned with a defined rim and deep interior suitable for collecting and transferring relatively small quantities of liquid.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nRising from the rear of the bowl is a broad triangular attachment plate that transitions smoothly into the narrow elongated handle. Two upward-curving, spur-like projections flank the base of the handle, adding a distinctive decorative profile to the vessel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe handle extends vertically above the bowl with a gently curved silhouette and flattened rectangular cross-section. Its upper terminal is incomplete.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe original end may have incorporated a suspension opening, loop, or decorative terminal, but this portion has suffered significant ancient or later loss and its original configuration cannot now be determined with certainty.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nRoman ladles were manufactured in numerous forms, ranging from short-handled serving vessels to long-handled examples intended to reach into deeper containers. Comparable Roman simpula frequently feature deep or rounded bowls and elongated handles.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe surface displays a varied dark green and blue-green patina with areas of pale mineral accretion, exposed metal, and archaeological encrustation. These natural surface variations emphasize the object’s considerable age and excavated character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Deep hemispherical bowl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Long flat-section handle\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Broad triangular handle attachment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Two raised spur or volute-like projections along the rim\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dark blue-green archaeological patina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Extensive mineral and burial accretions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Incomplete upper handle terminal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Roman domestic or ceremonial utensil form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe simpulum was a familiar utensil within Roman domestic, dining, and religious life. At Roman banquets, ladles were used to transfer measured quantities of wine into drinking vessels, particularly after wine had been mixed with water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nSimpula were also associated with religious libations and Roman priestly ceremonies. Their recognizable shape appeared alongside other ritual implements in Roman art and coinage, demonstrating that the form carried both practical and ceremonial associations.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nIt is not possible to determine whether this particular ladle served primarily in a domestic, dining, or ritual setting. Nevertheless, its deep bowl and long handle would have made it particularly useful for retrieving wine, oil, or another liquid from a comparatively deep vessel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe ladle survives in substantially fragmentary archaeological condition.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe bowl retains much of its original hemispherical form but exhibits extensive corrosion, thinning, cracks, edge losses, and a large irregular perforation through one side of the interior.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nAdditional smaller holes, surface losses, dents, and areas of delamination are visible throughout the bowl.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe long handle remains substantially preserved but displays bending, edge wear, corrosion, mineral accretions, and scattered losses.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe upper terminal is broken and incomplete, with the original suspension hole or decorative ending no longer fully preserved.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe raised projections beside the handle remain visible, although both exhibit wear and minor losses. The entire surface displays extensive blue-green patination, pale accretions, oxidation, abrasions, and exposed areas consistent with prolonged burial.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nOverall Height: 6.5 in\u003cbr\u003e\nBowl Diameter: 2 in\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n1,700–2,000 years old\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nFormerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector associated particularly with Armenian coinage and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, and a major portion of his holdings was publicly offered as \u003cem\u003eThe Jack Guevrekian Collection\u003c\/em\u003e by the Numismatic \u0026amp; Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nSubsequently held in a private New York City collection.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eView a related ancient Roman bronze simpulum in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/255892\" title=\"Ancient Roman Bronze Simpulum – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\" title=\"Roman and Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54980817486146,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Roman-Bronze-Simpulum-Ladle-with-Long-3698.png?v=1785118994","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/ancient-roman-bronze-simpulum-ladle-with-long-handle-imperial-period","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}