Forceps

Forceps

Bronze and Niello

A fine pair of bronze uvula forceps, or 'vulsellum' in Latin. The handles are decorated with reel and bead mouldings and inlaid with bands of niello. The two branches of the forceps cross like scissor blades. At the ends are finely-toothed jaws formed in an ovular shape so as to enclose a small cavity. The teeth in the jaws are still sharp with very little wear. Only two teeth on the left side are worn away. The pivot for the handles has some light encrustation but is still in working condition.
Function: A surgical instrument to remove the uvula for aesthetic purposes. The jaws of the forceps were fitted around the middle of the uvula and pulled or twisted in order to snare it off and lessen the amount of blood when it was cut.

Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, with funds from the Friends of Antiquity, 2013.

AD 1 - AD 200

13.021