Roman Bronze Cosmetic Tweezers

The Roman Empire, c. 100–400 AD

A magnificent and complete pair of Roman bronze cosmetic tweezers, beautifully preserved and displaying the refined simplicity characteristic of Roman personal grooming tools. Expertly fashioned from a single piece of flat bronze, the metal is folded and indented to form a rounded suspension loop at the top, allowing the tweezers to be worn or hung for immediate use. The elongated blades are rectangular in section, subtly flaring toward their blunt terminals—an elegant and practical form for plucking hair or applying cosmetics.

The surface is enriched with a fine, ancient patina of deep green and mottled russet tones, creating a rich archaeological texture across the metal. Cosmetic implements such as these were essential accessories in Roman daily life, used by both men and women and often found in toiletry kits alongside ear scoops, nail cleaners, and small glass containers of scented oils or powders. Tweezers also carried a social dimension: personal grooming was considered a marker of civility and refinement within Roman culture.

A superb example with excellent colour, appealing simplicity, and complete integrity—an ideal addition to any collection of Roman antiquities or ancient personal adornment.

Good condition. Intact. Age-related wear and light corrosion. Size approx. 4,6cm x 0,7cm x 0,7cm.

Provenance: Swedish private collection

For a similar examples see:

Tweezers, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1904,0204.71 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1904-0204-71)

Bronze tweezers, Roman, 199 BCE-500 CE, Science Museum Group, Accession Number: A621895 (https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co87777/bronze-tweezers-roman-199-bce-500-ce-tweezers)