January 12, 2017 at 3:10 pm

The Dish is  made of Silver, chased having a diameter of 18.8 cms, and is of Romano-British origin. It was found at Mildenhall, Suffolk in England, United Kingdom belonging to the 4^th century A.D. This dish has a design at the edge which is of a circular pattern forming small up and down structure and looks well decorated. How it traveled to that place and from where and why is a subject of study and research.

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This small decorated dish belongs to a large hoard of late-Roman silver vessels which were  hidden for safe keeping at a time of trouble as during times of war or when there was a prospect of constant attacks from enemies of the empire during the fourth century A.D. It was unearthed in the 1940s and has been preserved well for all people having interest in history and lovers of ancient art to study and appreciate the design and pattern.

The silver tableware was used originally by the rich and wealthy people in Rome.  These wealthy people in the Roman world who used this  frequently in their daily life liked and saw to it  that it was  very richly ornamented as per their status and the lifestyle they led. It was meant for use usually for many years and as it could be cleaned and looked fresh and neat it could be used by generations and did not get damaged. Because of this value was given to art on the dish.

Religious and mythological themes, especially related to the cult of Bacchus the god of wine, were typical subjects for decoration. There are many different themes on each dish. There are figures of gods and their subjects and related characters indulging in some symbolic activity and by which looking at this the user could identify with ones own religion and could think of it and practice it and also appreciate it in the form of art.

The rich silverware found in this hoard is decorated with classical themes. There are also references to Christianity. Which became accepted during those times after the initial turmoil. In the themes you can find gods, the maids and other people having wands or instruments in their hands. One can find some icons identifying with the religion and the practices which were prevalent during those times reflecting symbolism.

World history is full of such innumerable treasures which have not yet been understood and decoded. A proper study of the same by the participant who is interested in stydying and unraveling  the details will help shed more light on this and many other such items from history

January 12, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Is this for real? A dish made out of silver this is ridiculous why would you have a silver dish what for. How do you even use it. That would be the reason for your sleepless nights because each time your thinking what if it is stolen what if someone destroys ut in some way i dint know how but am sure such questions would be in your mind all the time. I really don’t see the use of having such things in th3 house makes no sense to me

January 12, 2017 at 11:55 pm

In today’s world what you are telling is absolutely true and I agree with you. But at that time they were very rich people and probably they had not discovered other metals which are being used today. One more reason would be they were not using silver for the purpose of Jewelery as is being done today. It was a status symbol during those times with religious connotations and last but not the least there was less population as compared to today. Good to know you found the article interesting. Have a great time.