Coin of Julia Domna inserted in the handle of a teaspoon c. 195 - 217

Curator: This unassuming teaspoon holds a fascinating secret. Its handle is adorned with a coin featuring Julia Domna, wife of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. Editor: It's quite striking, isn't it? The coin, repurposed as a handle, elevates the everyday object. There's something almost subversive about it. Curator: Indeed. Coins, especially those bearing imperial portraits, were powerful symbols of authority. Embedding one in a teaspoon speaks to a reimagining of that power. Editor: It makes me wonder about the cultural context. Who would have owned such a thing? And what statement were they trying to make by using it? Was it commentary? Homage? Curator: Exactly! It invites us to think about the ongoing negotiation between symbols of power and personal expression. Editor: I love the way this object bridges grand imperial narratives with the intimate sphere of domestic life. Curator: Absolutely, it makes us ponder the lasting echoes of empire in unexpected corners. Editor: A potent, miniature reminder that history is always in our hands.