Cignus Explained

Cignus (la|cygnus, meaning "swan"; plural: cigni) is a name used by archaeologists for a type of large Roman Empire metal spoon^[1] with a short, curved, handle often formed as the neck and head of a swan. Cigni have been found in a number of Roman sites from the 4th and 5th centuries CE, including the Thetford and Hoxne Hoards in England.^[2] It is not known for certain what the Romans called these utensils, but there are references to cigni in Roman sources in appropriate contexts.

See also

• Cochlearium
• Silver spoon

Further reading

• , pp. 98–106
• Harald Mielsch, 'Miszellen zur spätantiken Toreutik', in Archäologisches Anzeiger 1992, pp. 111–152.

Notes and References

1. Swift . Ellen . January 2014 . Design, function and use-wear in spoons: reconstructing everyday Roman social practice . Journal of Roman Archaeology . 27 . 203–237 . 10.1017/S1047759414001214 . 1047-7594.
2. https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/l/large_spoons_from_thetford.aspx British Museum