A Beautiful Roman Bronze ceremonial incense shovel 100 - 200 A.D!
JUDAEA
Early Roman Period: 1st – 2nd century AD
The shovel with a rectangular tray and horizontal handle. The tray is open at one end, with low vertical sides and narrow horizontal rim round three sides. The handle is modeled as a pillar with a capital, with foot extension projecting from the end, and acanthus leaf above. Two hollow pointed conical projections at the two inner corners of the tray, flanking the handle. Four short pegs at four corners under the tray, for support.
The incense shovel was a ritual object. In the Jewish religion, it was used in the Temple of Jerusalem, to clean the lamps of the Menorah (Ex.25:38). After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the incense shovel became one of the Jewish symbols, with the Temple Menorah, the Lulav and Ethrog, and the Shofar.
DIMENSIONS:
H. 30 cm (12 1/4 in.)
CONDITION:
HANDLE REPAIRED. Fine green patina with light encrustation.
