Silver and Gold
300-400 CE
The British Museum
Details
Theme
Trade, Movement and Exchange
Subtheme
Indo-Roman Trade
Case Title
“Black Gold”: Pepper from India
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Hoxne, British Isles
Measurements
10.5 x 6 x 4 x (dia.) 3.3 cm
Accession Number
1994, 0408.33
Description
In Roman-occupied England, Indian pepper was served in this ornate silver and gold pot. It is in the shape of an aristocratic Roman lady, the kind of person who might have hosted a lavish dinner party. The pot was filled with ground pepper from the base with smaller holes for sprinkling.
Pepper was the largest import from India into the Roman Empire, bought with great quantities of gold and silver, and taxed with a heavy tariff. It was so highly valued that it was called “Black Gold” by the Romans and “Yavana Priya” (loved by the Romans), by the Indians.
