South Shields, knife handle

HER Number:
16749

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
South Shields, knife handle

Place:
South Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Tools and Equipment

Site Type: Broad:
Cutting Equipment

Site Type: Specific:
Knife

General Period:
Roman

Specific Period:
C2-C3

Form of Evidence:
Find

Description:
Height 7.2 cm. Ivory knife handle carved in the form of a gladiator with curly hair, waering a tunic. His left leg is swathed in a protective puttee. He holds a short sword and a large shield, which is faced with quilted leather. The figure stands on an oval base which was originally sheathed in bronze or copper. It formed the handle of a clasp-knife. The free end of the iron blade survives in the closed position behind the figure's right leg. Great North Museum: Hancock 1956.128.104.A

Easting:
36

Northing:
67

Grid Reference:
NZ3667

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
DJ Smith, 1974, Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne - An Illustrated Introduction, 22; J.M.C. Toynbee, 1963, Art in Roman Britain (second edition) no. 53, plate 56; J.M.C. Toynbee, 1964, Art in Britain under the Romans, 359