Rods from cabinet or cupboard

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These five iron rods formed part of a metal grille probably on an ornate wooden cabinet or cupboard. They were found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. They date from between 80 and 180 AD.

The five rods are made from forged iron, designed to look like turned woodwork. They have mouldings expanding at a central point into a larger disc. All are broken and incomplete.

Usually all that survives of Roman furniture are the metal rods or fittings. Complete examples from Herculaneum in Italy, together with some pictures and surviving wooden fragments, show that the Romans used chairs, tables, couches, beds and chests.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-103-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 311
• Date: 80 - 180 AD
  Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron; forged
  Rod, folding stool
  
• Dimensions: 13.00" L (no. 214)
  
• What: Rod, folding stool
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Five iron rods from a folding stool, from the Roman site at Newstead, Roxburghshire, 80 - 180 AD
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, pp 286-7, Pl. LXIV, 1, 2, 4, 5. 
• Translations:
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