c. 63 B.C. - 330 A.D.

An ancient Roman probe, scoop and needle. Some encrustation but in excellent condition.

7.10 inches (18 cms);
5.80 inches (14.7 cms);
6.80 inches (17.27 cms)

Custom Lucite stand, shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price.

Export Approval from the Israel Antiquities Authority

A COPY OF “ILLNESS AND HEALING IN ANCIENT TIMES” INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE

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Almost every medical writer mentions the spathomele. It consists of a long shaft with an olivary point at one end and a spatula at the other. It was a pharmaceutical rather than a strictly surgical instrument. The olive end was used for stirring medicaments, the spatula for spreading them on the affected part. The spathomele was used by painters for preparing and mixing their colors. The very large numbers in which they are found would indicate that their use was not confined to medical men.
The scope of the cyathiscomele in medical art is evidently, like the flat spathomele, to act occasionally as a sound, but mainly to mix, measure and apply medicaments. Some are adapted for use as curettes. The large numbers in which this instrument occurs would itself indicate that it was used for lay as well as medical purposes.

Antiquities
Ancient Roman