SPATULA

A copper alloy Roman wax spatula in the shape of the goddess Minerva. The head has a helmet with large incomplete crest, with a raised rim bordering the edge of the helmet, two circular recesses are located on the helmet, potentially depicting eyes. Below the helmet the hair, eyes, nose and mouth are visible, the nose is partially abraded. The face narrows to form an elongated neck, which widens to meet the shoulders, which extend downwards. The top of the breast plate is decorated with five slightly raised squares with circular recesses in a semi circular line similar to a necklace. The breastplate has a raised diagonal ridge on either side, which are also visible on the reverse, these ridges meet at raised transverse ridge, on both the front and back, approximately half way down the chest; these appear to depict clothing. The centre of the breastplate is an abraded raised triangle, probably depicting a face, below which is a circular perforation.

The spatula measures 34.1mm in length, 15.6 mm wide, 14.55 mm thick and weighs 13.15 g.

A number of similar spatulas are recorded on the PAS database, such as SF8530, SF-3292E6 and LIN-F37090.

Nina Crummy has produced a catalogue and discussion of wax spatula handles in the form of Minerva (Feugere type A5). They are believed to date from the 2nd and early 3rd centuries. The spatulas were used for smoothing down large areas of wax on writing tablets. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and learning, so is appropriate for such an object, but Crummy also points out that when detached the handle functions perfectly well as a simple figurine of Minerva. As she was also a goddess of healing, it may then have been used as an amulet or votive offering (Crummy 2002, 6-8).