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{{short description|Roman hoard found in France}}
{{Infobox artefact
{{Infobox artefact
| name = Chaourse Treasure
| name = Chaourse Treasure
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| size =
| size =
| writing =
| writing =
| created = 2nd-3rd Century AD
| created = 2nd-3rd century AD
| discovered =
| discovered =
| location = [[British Museum]], [[London]]
| location = [[British Museum]], [[London]]
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}}
}}


The '''Chaourse Treasure''' is a hoard of [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] silver found in [[Chaourse]], a village near [[Montcornet, Aisne]] in northern France in 1883. Dating between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, the treasure is one of the most complete table services to survive from [[Ancient history|antiquity]]. This important hoard is now part of the [[British Museum]]'s collection <ref>British Museum Collection [http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?place=104981&plaA=104981-3-1]</ref></blockquote>
The '''Chaourse Treasure''' is a hoard of [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] silver found in [[Chaourse]], a village near [[Montcornet, Aisne]] in northern France in 1883. Dating between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, the treasure is one of the most complete table services to survive from [[Ancient history|antiquity]]. This important hoard is now part of the [[British Museum]]'s collection.<ref>[https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?place=104981&plaA=104981-3-1 British Museum Collection]</ref>


==Discovery and Ownership==
==Discovery and ownership==
The hoard was uncovered by chance in a field near the village of Chaourse and had been deposited wrapped in cloth. Coins were also found with the treasure, the latest dating from the Gallic emperor [[Postumus]]. It appears that tableware was buried shortly afterwards, during the reign of [[Gallienus]], although the context of the find remains obscure. While a few of the objects date to the 2nd century, most originate from the 3rd Century AD. The names of two people - Genialis and Cavarianus - are inscribed on some of the silver vessels. They were probably the original owners of the service, who for some reason decided to bury the [[hoard]] for safe-keeping. Six years after its discovery, the entire treasure was purchased by the British Museum.
The hoard was uncovered by chance in a field near the village of Chaourse and had been deposited wrapped in cloth. Coins were also found with the treasure, the latest dating from the [[Gallic Empire|Gallic emperor]] [[Postumus]]. It appears that tableware was buried shortly afterwards, during the reign of [[Gallienus]], although the context of the find remains obscure. While a few of the objects date to the 2nd century, most originate from the 3rd century AD. The names of two people - Genialis and Cavarianus - are inscribed on some [[silver]] vessels. They were probably the original owners of the service, who decided to bury the [[hoard]] for safe-keeping. Six years after its discovery, the entire treasure was purchased by the British Museum.


==Description==
==Description==
The Chaourse Treasure is made up of 39 objects in total, all of which are silver apart from five small vessels and a silvered bronze mirror. There are three large serving platters; one of which has the [[swastika]] in its central medallion, another has a gilded figure of the roman god [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]] holding his [[caduceus]] flanked by a ram and a cockerel. In addition, there are plain silver drinking cups. jugs, two large [[Situla (vessel)|situla]]s one of which has an [[acanthus]]-scroll frieze, shallow plates, hemispherical bowls (one of which was used for washing hands), flanged bowls with engraved decoration of animals, some mirrors, an ornate strainer with floral and [[geometric]] designs, a statuette of the deity [[Fortuna]] and a [[Salt and pepper shakers|pepper-pot]] in the shape of an African [[slave]]-boy.
The Chaourse Treasure is made up of 39 objects in total, all of which are silver, apart from five small vessels and a silvered bronze mirror. There are four large serving platters; one of which has the [[swastika]] in its central medallion, another has a gilded figure of the Roman god [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]] holding his [[caduceus]] flanked by a ram and a cockerel. In addition, there are plain silver drinking cups, various jugs, two large [[Situla (vessel)|situla]]s one of which has an [[Acanthus (ornament)|acanthus]]-scroll frieze, shallow plates, hemispherical bowls (one of which was used for washing hands), flanged and fluted bowls (some with engraved decoration of animals amid floral patterns), some mirrors, an ornate strainer with floral and [[geometric]] designs, a statuette of the deity [[Fortuna]] and a [[Salt and pepper shakers|pepper-pot]] in the shape of an African [[slave]]-boy.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Mâcon Treasure]]
*[[Mâcon Treasure]]
*[[Caubiac Treasure]]
*[[Chatuzange Treasure]]
*[[Berthouville Treasure]]
*[[Berthouville Treasure]]
*[[Beaurains Treasure]]
* {{ill|Ruffieu Treasure|fr|Trésor de Ruffieu}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM2.JPG| Various silver cups and bowls from the treasure
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM2.JPG| Various silver cups and bowls from the treasure
Image:Chaourse Treasure -BM.JPG| Silver handled bucket or situla
Image:Chaourse Treasure -BM.JPG| Silver handled bucket or situla
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM7.JPG| Two platters next to three bowls and a small plate
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM7.JPG| Two platters beside three bowls and a small plate
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM5.JPG| Silver-gilt figure of Fortuna
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM5.JPG| Silver-gilt figure of Fortuna
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM3.JPG| Pepper-pot of squatting slave
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM3.JPG| Pepper-pot of squatting slave
Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM9.JPG| Strainer with geometric design

Image:ChaourseTreasure-BM6.JPG| Platter with swastika in centre next to various bowls and plates


</gallery>
</gallery>
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*D. Strong, Greek and Roman Silver Plate (British Museum Press, 1966)
*D. Strong, Greek and Roman Silver Plate (British Museum Press, 1966)
*L. Burn, The British Museum Book of Greek and Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)
*S. Walker, Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Greek and Roman objects in the British Museum]]
{{British Museum}}

[[Category:Treasure troves of Late Antiquity]]
[[Category:1883 archaeological discoveries]]
[[Category:Archaeological discoveries in France]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek and Roman objects in the British Museum]]
[[Category:Silver objects]]
[[Category:Silver objects]]
[[Category:Treasure troves of late antiquity]]

Latest revision as of 08:07, 13 January 2024

Chaourse Treasure
Chaourse Treasure as displayed in the British Museum
MaterialSilver
Created2nd-3rd century AD
Present locationBritish Museum, London

The Chaourse Treasure is a hoard of Roman silver found in Chaourse, a village near Montcornet, Aisne in northern France in 1883. Dating between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, the treasure is one of the most complete table services to survive from antiquity. This important hoard is now part of the British Museum's collection.[1]

Discovery and ownership

[edit]

The hoard was uncovered by chance in a field near the village of Chaourse and had been deposited wrapped in cloth. Coins were also found with the treasure, the latest dating from the Gallic emperor Postumus. It appears that tableware was buried shortly afterwards, during the reign of Gallienus, although the context of the find remains obscure. While a few of the objects date to the 2nd century, most originate from the 3rd century AD. The names of two people - Genialis and Cavarianus - are inscribed on some silver vessels. They were probably the original owners of the service, who decided to bury the hoard for safe-keeping. Six years after its discovery, the entire treasure was purchased by the British Museum.

Description

[edit]

The Chaourse Treasure is made up of 39 objects in total, all of which are silver, apart from five small vessels and a silvered bronze mirror. There are four large serving platters; one of which has the swastika in its central medallion, another has a gilded figure of the Roman god Mercury holding his caduceus flanked by a ram and a cockerel. In addition, there are plain silver drinking cups, various jugs, two large situlas one of which has an acanthus-scroll frieze, shallow plates, hemispherical bowls (one of which was used for washing hands), flanged and fluted bowls (some with engraved decoration of animals amid floral patterns), some mirrors, an ornate strainer with floral and geometric designs, a statuette of the deity Fortuna and a pepper-pot in the shape of an African slave-boy.

See also

[edit]
[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • D. Strong, Greek and Roman Silver Plate (British Museum Press, 1966)
  • L. Burn, The British Museum Book of Greek and Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)
  • S. Walker, Roman Art (British Museum Press, 1991)

References

[edit]