The Romans Beat the Swiss

[Old Ironsights]

And Leatherman...

http://webapps.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/exp ... ?oid=70534



Title: Roman "Swiss Army Knife"

Maker(s) & Production: Mediterranean

Category: tool/implement

Name: compound utensil

Date: 201 — 300

Period: Middle Roman

Description: eating implement, folding, with three-pronged fork, spatula, pick, spike and knife.

Material(s): iron; knife silver

Dimension(s): height, 88, mm, max width, 155, mm, max

Acquisition: bought; 1990;

Documentation: Vassilika, Eleni. 1998. Greek and Roman Art. p.128-129, no.62

Sherlock, D.. 1988. A combination Roman eating implement.
Source Title: Antiquaries Journal 68 ()

310-311, pl. xlix

Sherlock, D.. 1976. Roman folding spoons.
Source Title: Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society 27 ()

p.128-129, no.62

Accession: Object Number: GR.1.1991
(Antiquities) (record id: 70534; input: 2003-03-25; modified: 2016-07-20)

Permanent Identifier:
http://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/70534

PITCHY! I WANT ONE!

[GunnyMack]

Knife silver? Is that pewter?
Just imagine what could have been if the Romans weren't poisoning themselves with all the lead they consumed.
Lead wine glasses, lead pipes, lead oxide for women's make up.

[KWK]

I recall seeing that piece in the display cases there, along with other fine tools and medical implements. My Chinese wife commented the Communists had hidden such history from their people, to try to make the Chinese feel superior. (Do keep in mind there was fine metal work from China, too, in that era.)

[Ben_Rumson]

Germs die when they come in contact with silver.