Roman Athlete's Strigil and Balsamarium

1st-2nd century AD. A bronze toilet set comprising: a strigil with curved C-section blade and tapering rectangular-section handle, a balsamarium or aryballos, with spherical body, narrow waisted neck, everted rim and flat base, decorated with four concentric circles, fitted with separate lid, ornamented with additional concentric circles. See identical balsamarium in Marin, E., Longae Salonae, Split, 1994, no.2, p.154, volume II. 275 grams total, 3-22.5cm (8 3/4"). Ex collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the UK art market; previously on the European art market before 2000. These bronze aryballoi with high-bellied body are similar with examples from Palestine, Pompeii, Phocis, Brigetio and Salona. They are not fitted with handles, meaning that they were not part of a portable set. [3]
Condition Report: Fine condition, lid fragmentary.