Chatuzange Treasure
| Chatuzange Treasure | |
|---|---|
 Skillet or saucepan with the figure of Felicitas from the Chatuzange Treasure, as displayed in the British Museum | |
| Material | Silver |
| Size | Length 23.5 cm |
| Created | 2nd-3rd Century AD |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
The Chatuzange Treasure is the name of an important Roman silver hoard found in the village of Chatuzange-le-Goubet in the department of Drôme, south-eastern France. Since 1893 it has been part of the British Museum's collection.[1]
Discovery
[edit]In the district of La Part-Dieu near Chatuzange-le-Goubet, among the ruins of a large Roman villa, a significant silver hoard was unearthed in 1888. The treasure, which consists of six pieces of antique dishes, seems to have been buried for safe-keeping, perhaps during the period of local insurrections that occurred at this time in Roman Gaul. It was discovered by the land-owner of the site who subsequently sold the treasure to a Paris art dealer, who in turn sold it to the British Museum in London.
Description
[edit]The whole treasure is composed of six pieces of high quality Roman silver that dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and has a total weight of 5.6 kg. There are two skillets, one of which is decorated with the figure of Felicitas between two rosettes and below her a woman offering a sacrifice at an altar, while the other is adorned with the necks of swans and a basket of fruit. Other items in the treasure include a large fluted washing-bowl with the figures of the Three Graces in the central panel, another fluted dish, a large plate and a small cup, both with a niello inlaid swastika, which was a relatively common symbol in the Roman Empire.
See also
[edit]Other Roman silverware treasure :
- Chaourse Treasure
- Mâcon Treasure
- Caubiac Treasure
- Berthouville Treasure
- Boscoreale Treasure
- Rethel Treasure
Gallery
[edit]-
Another silver saucepan from the treasure -
Fluted bowl with the three graces -
Detail of the three graces on the bowl -
Cup decorated with a central swastika -
Serving dish decorated with swastika engraved in niello
.JPG)
Bibliography
[edit]- D. Strong, Greek and Roman Silver Plate (British Museum Press, 1966)
- L. Burn, The British Museum Book of Greek and Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)
- S. Walker, Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)
- Archaeological Society of Drôme (Vol. XXII. Page 340-345).
- K. Painter, Le Tresor de Chatuzange in 'Tresors d'orfevrrerie gallo-romaine' (F. Baratte (ed)), 1989, Paris
