Ancient Near East, early Byzantine Empire, ca. 5th to 8th century CE. A beautiful bronze bread stamp of a crescent form with a singular curving row of raised Latin letters which spell the name "Nicaphos." The verso has a single thick loop handle applied in the center. The majority of exposed surfaces are covered in layers of green, blue-green, and russet-hued patina. Typical bread stamps are of a square or rectangular form, so a crescent-shaped stamp like this example is quite rare! Size: 3.55" W x 1.45" H (9 cm x 3.7 cm).
Bread stamps have been used throughout the Old World, particularly the Mediterranean and Near East, since the emergence of Greco-Roman culture; they were used for religious, magical, economic, and identification purposes. For example, in classical Greece, bread would be stamped when it was used in a ritual performance or as offerings (Herodotus describes this). Several stamped, carbonized loaves of bread have been documented from Pompeii; they were stamped with the name of the baker in order to establish ownership and prevent forgeries. Later, Eucharistic bread was stamped with a variety of religious symbols.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#137134
Condition
Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, very minor nicks along handle, peripheries, and raised letters, and some roughness along most surfaces, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, and great patina throughout. Old inventory sticker taped to verso.