Plate with Birds and Grapevines

Photograph of a silver plate with gold trim, decorated with an incised pattern of grape vines and birds

Plate Incised with Birds and Grapevines

Medium:
Silver and gold
Dimensions:
H. 5.3 cm; Diam. 22 cm; Diam. (of foot) 8.8 cm
Context:
Berthouville, France
Date:
Roman, 100–225 CE
Inventory Number:
inv. 56.20
Lender:
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
Tahnee Cracchiola © Getty-BnF

The Latin inscription, which is incised on the underside of the base of the plate, reads:

DEO MERC CAN DECIR LVPERCVS EX TEST PLAC DOCIRIGVS

Translation: To the god Mercury Can(etonnensis), Decirius Lupercus from the testament of Placidus Docirix.