Two strigils on a ring, Roman, 199 BCE-500 CE

Made:
199 BCE-500 CE in Roman Empire
Two strigils on ring, bronze, Roman Two strigils on ring, bronze, Roman

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Two strigils on ring, bronze, Roman
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Two strigils on ring, bronze, Roman
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Two strigils on ring, bronze, Roman

This heavily corroded set of bronze strigils shows the classic claw-like shape typical of these utensils.

Part of the bathing and personal hygiene routine in ancient Rome involved cleaning the body with oil. Having rubbed the oil in, a strigil was used to scrape away any excess as well as any dead skin and dirt.

Athletes also used strigils to remove dirt, dust and oil from their bodies after exercise. This was sometimes bottled and sold as a medical treatment called gloios to relieve aches, pains and sprains.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A79738
Materials:
bronze
Measurements:
overall: 94 mm x 317 mm 120 mm, 0.27kg
type:
strigil
credit:
Vester and Co.