Vaisselle d’argent, nourriture et service de table

Abstract

Silverware is an essential part of the luxury of the table in the Roman world, especially in Late Antiquity. It belongs to the decor of the reception room just like mosaics or paintings, and is part of the staging that characterizes a banquet. However, its relationship with the food it accompanies is complex. Objects preserved in treasures, texts and images provide some clarification on this subject. They highlight the existence of indissociable groups, often emblematic, but also draw attention to the essential characteristics of silver dishes, especially their increasingly spectacular size, which should be related to the organization of dining rooms. The presence of inscriptions also characterizes this dish: they have an important role, because they often provide a key to understand the decor of the object that carries them.