Roman Spoons

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Does anyone know of a place in the United States that sells reproduction Roman spoons? I am looking for one for my mess kit. Also, does anyone know if any of the originals were made of iron? I know that they were mostly bronze or silver, but I was wondering if they could have been made of iron, or even wood. Thanks in advance for any help! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Mithras]

Hi LUcius,<br>
<br>
This one is wooden, and is a good model for those in bronze and pewter too:<br>
<br>
img.photobucket.com/album.../spoon.jpg<br>
<br>
Note the pointed end. <p><strong>Paul Elliott/<em>Caius Fortunatus</em></strong><br>
<br>
3rd Century Auxiliary (<em>Cohors Quinta Gallorum</em>)<br>
<br>
4th Century Legionnary (<em>Comitatus</em>)<br>
<br>
www.geocities.com/zozergames/interactive.html</p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Thanks Paul,<br>
That one is very pretty! Maybe I'll carve one myself similar to that example, rather than worry about buying one. It would make more sense to me that soldiers might have had wooden or bone spoons rather than more expensive silver ones, if the spoons were issued and not procured privately. That's just a guess, though, I'm not stating that as a fact. Thanks for your help! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[richsc]

I never thought about the taper. Wonder why? They all seem that way, don't they? <p>Legio XX<br>
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo<br>
<br>
</p><i></i>

[Mithras]

I bet it was getting those pesky snails out of the shells!! <p><strong>Paul Elliott/<em>Caius Fortunatus</em></strong><br>
<br>
3rd Century Auxiliary (<em>Cohors Quinta Gallorum</em>)<br>
<br>
4th Century Legionnary (<em>Comitatus</em>)<br>
<br>
www.geocities.com/zozergames/interactive.html</p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Yes, I have indeed heard that the pointed end was used for just such a purpose. Very useful for snails, shellfish, etc... <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[richsc]

Now there's a reason perception can misinterpret the evidence. I hate seafood, so would never have thought of that. <p>Legio XX<br>
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo<br>
<br>
</p><i></i>

[Caius Fabius]

Of course, snails AREN'T seafood.... <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Why not take a regular kitchen wooden spoon and modify it?<br>
<br>
flatten down the scoop part a little bit, lathe or sand down the handle to a taper...lathe in some of those lines...?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
As for the taper...Yeah kinda odd...But Paintbrushes have had the taper for a very long time...Perhaps it's a way to help make stirring or manipulating the spoon easier? I'm an Artist, I oughta know why brush handles have a taper...But I don't. Well I'm not much of a painter anyway....<br>
<br>
...Although the thought of picking out snails gives me a thought, maybe the taper is to be used as a skewer? Maybe it helps scrape out the burn Garum fish-sauce stuff from the bottom of your Patera? <p>Titus Vulpius Dominicus ~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Roman Dude.<br>
<br>
Svaviter in Modo, Fortiter in Re (Soft in Manner, Strong in Deed)<br>
<br>
www.higgins.org <br>
www.higginssword.org </p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Hi Andy,<br>
Those all sound like plausible reasons to me... And that's a good idea about modifying a wooden kitchen spoon. <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Crispvs]

Just to add one more material, my spoon is made from horn.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>

[Mithras]

More spoons:<br>
img.photobucket.com/album...spoons.jpg<br>
<p><strong>Paul Elliott/<em>Caius Fortunatus</em></strong><br>
<br>
3rd Century Auxiliary (<em>Cohors Quinta Gallorum</em>)<br>
<br>
4th Century Legionnary (<em>Comitatus</em>)<br>
<br>
www.geocities.com/zozergames/interactive.html</p><i></i>