Artists' ToolsRoman1st-4th century CE

Bone Stylus

1st-4th century

Description

Circular-sectioned bone stylus. The pointed end for writing is cone shaped. The shaft tapers from the pointed end to the other end, where it has a sphere-shaped finial, which is somewhat flat on one side, for erasing.

Classification

Artists' Tools

Technique

Carved

Medium

Bone

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period

Century

1st-4th century CE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

8.55 cm (3 3/8 in.)

Provenance

The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (before 1970-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.

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