https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements.html https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-58618.html Mon, 05 May 2025 15:40:01 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy nail cleaner (cosmetic implement) of the Roman period. The implement consists of a slender leaf-shaped blade with an integral suspension loop set at right-angles to it. The blade is decorated with a faintly engraved border line and terminates in a forked functional tip. It is possibly one of a set of cosmetic implements from a chatelaine. Nina Crummy, (Nail-cleaners: regionality at the clean edge of Empire) describes this style of cleaner as the "Baldock type", and dates it 1st - 2nd century AD.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/implement-handle-58005.html Mon, 13 May 2024 20:19:26 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A copper-alloy implement handle of probable Roman date, possibly of a medical or cosmetic nature. The implement has a spherical upper terminal, below which is a faceted octagonal moulding with a central divisional groove, the octagon is flanked above and below with circumferential spooled decoration. The shaft, now broken is rectangular in section. As no convincing parallel has been found, the identification should be regarded as tentative. The recorder advises that the item was found on a medieval market site.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/tweezers-57818.html Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:20:14 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A set of Roman period copper-alloy tweezers. The tweezers are centrally folded from a flat cast pattern, the suspension loop and both gripping terminals being equally flared. Each arm has a discoidal swelling at the centre, and there is decoration consisting three transverse grooves immediately above and below each disc. The surface displays evidence of a once overall tinned finish. The tweezers are of an uncommon shape associated with the period of manufacture. The central disc on each arm can be compared, however, to the same functional feature found on some Roman period nail cleaners; (YORM-6C5149). It is likely that they would have been paired with other such articles to form a matching toiletry set.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/cosmetic-or-medical-instrument-56581.html Fri, 07 Jan 2022 13:47:32 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		An incomplete Roman artefact, possibly a cosmetic or medical instrument. The head is bun-shaped and decorated with radial grooves. At the junction of the head and the shaft there are two collars. The shaft is uniformly circular in cross-section, which reduces in diameter approximately half way along its length. The upper half has decorative features, which appear to be circumferential or spiraled grooving. The lower part of the shaft is undecorated, and is broken at the terminal end. Considering possibilities for identification, the object is unlikely to be a dress pin, as the reduced sectioned lower half, together with the overall uniform diameter of each section (instead of tapering) would be very unusual. Considering its employment as a stylus, the bun-shaped head would be uncommon, as generally styli of similar length have fan-shaped heads for smoothing over wax in preparation for writing or for making corrections, see UKDFD 3996 & SF100056. Bun-shaped heads are found, however, on some shorter styli of the period. It seems plausible that the artefact could be utilised as a medical instrument, as similar objects are recorded, but it is difficult to be certain if the missing terminal was a simple point, or shaped for a specific function such as a hook or scoop. See UKDFD 28513 & NCL-DB00F3.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-file-55534.html Mon, 31 Aug 2020 17:34:33 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy nail file of the Roman period. The implement consists of a functional blade or shaft, a decorative neck or finger-grip, and a suspension loop. The blade is flat, tapers slightly in width and terminates in a rounded end. The transverse serrations occupy the full length of one face only. At the upper end, the blade is shouldered and the neck is decorated with three progressively larger collars, the last of them attached directly to the sub-circular suspension loop. All the elements are flat and in the same plane, suggesting that the nail file was probably one of several cosmetic implements suspended from a chatelaine. See also PAS: SWYOR-7C51F5 and LVPL-7C4087.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-55516.html Sat, 22 Aug 2020 15:17:18 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy nail cleaner of the Roman period. It has a flat leaf-shaped blade and a pierced suspension loop that is set at right-angles to the face of the blade. The forked tip is intact, the sususpension loop is broken.   Possibly one of a set of cosmetic implements from a chatelaine. Nina Crummy, (Nail-cleaners: regionality at the clean edge of Empire) describes this style of cleaner as the "Baldock type", and dates it 1st - 2nd century AD.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-55267.html Sun, 03 May 2020 16:03:15 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy object, tentatively identified as a nail cleaner of the Roman period, but with some unusual features. The object is noted by the recorder as having been found on a site that has also produced finds of the Anglo-Saxon period. The unusual features for a Roman nail cleaner are (1) that it is of openwork design, (2) the characteristic longitudinal groove along the centre occurs on both faces rather than one, and (3) the top end was apparently pointed, and lacks the usual suspension loop. These features are discussed below. Discussion Although nail cleaners of a general lanceolate shape are quite common throughout the Roman period (Crummy Types 2a and 2b - see References below), those with an openwork design seem to be quite rare. One example, recorded on the PAS as SF-043652, however, is comparable in some respects. Like the present object, it has an openwork design, but in this case the openwork is circular, rather than piriform, and it bifurcates at the top to form two prongs. Another unusual feature it shares with the present object is that it is grooved on both faces, but it has three parallel grooves on each face, rather than a single groove on the front face only. The upper end of the PAS nail cleaner, however, differs from that of the present object, which appears to be damaged and incomplete. It seems likely that it was originally pierced for suspension, but broke across the hole, thus creating the present notched appearance. The opposite end also appears to be either worn or chipped, as it lacks the usual V-shaped recess found on nail cleaners. The proposed identification and dating of the object are based on the above, but they should be regarded as very tentative, particularly as there is a dearth of published information relating to cosmetic implements produced during the ensuing Anglo-Saxon period.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-55184.html Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:55:26 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A copper-alloy nail cleaner of the Roman period.  Comprised of a bead, reel, and spool decorated head and circular section shaft with a slightly flattened, forked terminal. As the moulded decoration on the head is more in keeping with ''Crummy Type 2'' hair or dress pins of the 2nd- 3rd century AD, it is possible that the nail cleaner is an adaptation from a broken pin.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-7728.html Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A beautiful cast copper alloy Roman nail cleaner. The top is designed as a female head with tied-back hair. At the back of the head is a suspension loop at a right angle to the blade of the cleaner. Below the head is a thin neck, which expands to a rectangular plate with two forward projecting protrusions intended to represent arms or breasts, probably the latter. The plate is inscribed on its two sides and back with the letter 'X'. The figure is likely to represent a female deity and was probably one of a number of toilet articles once attached to a chatelaine brooch.
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/roman/cosmetic-implements/nail-cleaner-10449.html Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Cosmetic implements  

Description:		A leaf-shaped finger-nail cleaner of the Roman period. It has a circular suspension loop, set at right-angles to the body, and a forked tip. Cf. PAS: BUC-386F21 and SF-4A5052
Category:		Roman, Cosmetic implements
Category:		Cosmetic implements

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