Spoon with a Panther

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of Late Roman elegance with *Spoon with a Panther a exquisite example of 3rd–4th metalwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Craft from copper alloy and adorned with silvering for a luminous sheen and niello—a technique using black sulfur alloys for striking inlays—this compact utensil measures just 4 13/16 x 1 x 5/8 inches. The panther motif, likely gracing the handle, evokes wild, exotic animals celebrated in Roman art, transforming a practical eating tool into a work of subtle luxury. Dating to the waning years of the Roman Empire, this spoon highlights the advanced ...