Ladle and strainer

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This silver ladle and silver gilt strainer were found at Traprain Law in East Lothian. They were part of a hoard containing over 150 silver objects, mainly tableware, buried between 410 and 425 AD. Most of the objects were fragmentary.

The handle of the ladle is in the shape of a dolphin, a form known from other metalwork hoards of the period. The partly gilt wine strainer has the Christian monogram of the Chi Rho and the inscription 'Jesus Christvs' on the bowl.

All the silver in the large Traprain Law hoard was treated as scrap, with virtually all of it cut up and bent over. It probably represents payment to ensure the loyalty of a friendly chief, but other theories include payment for warriors or loot.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-806-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVA 129
• Date: Deposited between 410 and 425 AD
  
• Material: Silver wire; ribbed; ends closed
  Silver; Chi Rho and JESUS CHRISTVS perforated on bowl
  Silver; handle in shape of dolphin
  Armlet, penannular
  Ladle
  Strainer, wine
  
• Dimensions: 5.31" L x bowl 2.56" D; weight 2.85 oz
  Weight 0.22 oz
  Weight 0.70 oz
  
• What: Armlet, penannular
  Ladle
  Strainer, wine
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver ladle with a handle in the shape of a dolphin, from Traprain Law
  Silver wine strainer with 'Chi Rho' and Jesus Christvs' perforated on the bowl, from Traprain Law
  Ribbed penannular armlet of silver wire from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Curle, Alexander O. The treasure of Traprain. A Scottish hoard of Roman silver plate. Glasgow: Maclehose, Jackson and Co., 1923, pp. 70-1, 75-6, 81. 
  • Kent, J.P.C. and Painter, K.S. Wealth of the Roman world AD 300-700. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1977, p. 124. 
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