Go back to previous page

razor

Summary: The razor's small bronze handle is decorated with a panther's head protruding from a stylized leaf calyx. The lower part of the handle ends in frame-like sockets into which the forged iron blade was inserted.
learn more

Post type: Object

Epoch: Roman Empire

Topic: house and home

Exhibition venue: Römerkastell Saalburg

Place of discovery: Zugmantel Castle, Taunus

Date: 2nd half of the 2nd century to the 1st half of the 3rd century AD.

Material: Bronze, iron

Dimensions:

Length 10.4cm
Width 6.7cm

Inventory number: ZM 622

Description

The razor's small bronze handle is decorated with a panther's head protruding from a stylized leaf calyx. The lower part of the handle ends in frame-like sockets into which the forged iron blade was inserted. The wide, rounded blade was attached to the handle with two rivets and could therefore be easily replaced. It is almost completely preserved, but broken into two parts.

Due to the small size of the handle, the thumb had to lie on the front of the handle or blade when cutting, while the index and possibly middle fingers supported the knife on the underside. This knife shape appears on ancient barbers' tombstones as a typical barbershop fixture.