Roman simpulum handle with duck terminal

ITEM: Simpulum handle with duck terminal
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 286 mm x 30 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Bader (1976), Ex private collection, M.E.S., Switzerland
PARALLEL: Col-lecció CdL (Museu El Camp de les Lloses), Mànec de simpulum. El Camp de les Lloses (Tona)

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

A Roman duck-headed handle terminal is a fascinating example of ancient craftsmanship, often found on objects such as knives, bronze vessels, or furniture. These decorative terminals, shaped like a duck’s head, were both functional and symbolic, adding elegance to utilitarian items. They were typically cast in bronze and could be intricately detailed, with features such as a curved beak, engraved eyes, and stylized plumage. The Romans frequently incorporated animal motifs into their decorative arts, drawing from a vast repertoire of symbolic and naturalistic imagery.

The use of duck-shaped terminals in Roman material culture may have had deeper significance beyond aesthetics. Ducks were associated with water, transition, and adaptability, making them fitting emblems for objects that required both utility and beauty. In some cases, such motifs might have been linked to religious or mythological themes, particularly in regions influenced by Celtic traditions, where waterfowl held sacred connotations. Such handles could have been attached to items used in domestic, military, or ritual settings, reflecting the diverse functions of Roman metalwork.