Transverse strainer-spoons from the Hoxne hoard

The Hoxne (pronounced 'Hoxon') hoard is the richest find of treasure from Roman Britain. Alongside the approximately 15,000 coins were many other precious objects, buried for safety at a time when Britain was passing out of Roman control.

These two spoons are of unknown use, but they clearly match the large set of gilded spoons from the hoard. They may have been used for lifting solid pieces of food out of a liquid, such as whole fruit served in a bowl of water.

The gilded decoration shows Oceanus or a similar marine deity with dolphins: the theme is a Bacchic one, matching the decoration of the other spoons in the set.