Ancient Roman tool (ref. Ventimiglia)

Bronze replica inspired by Roman swiss army knife exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ventimiglia.

From Barocelli’s studio it is a “silver travel service” which is part of the grave goods of tomb 142, it dates from the second half of the II century. A.D. and III century A.D.
At one end of the central rod it is placed a colum without part of the bottom, characterized by tiny holes, and a spoon in the shape of a mandolin, in the middle of the central rod two small levers are inserted perpendicularly that perhaps were used to block the instruments. At the other end of the central rod the plates are joined together with three rivets in which the other four instruments are inserted, the movement of which is allowed by pins: a small spatula with a circular section and round terminal; an acus element with a stem with a rectangular and flattened section which increases in size and ends with a lever that is set at a right angle, a fork or three-pronged fork; a flat and curved element in the shape of an elongated leaf and finally the seventh instrument the knife or culter, the only element in iron, it is fixed directly on the rod.

From RIVISTA STUDI LIGURI – ANNI LXXX – LXXXI 2014 – 2015

Material: bronze

Technique: lost wax casting