Ancient Roman Bronze Tweezers (Vulsella), c.50-300AD Roman Britain

A finely crafted pair of authentic Roman bronze tweezers from Britannia, these tools offer a rare glimpse into the daily life of Roman settlers. Just as in modern times, they were primarily used for personal grooming, such as plucking hair or removing splinters, and would have been an essential item in any Roman’s toiletry set.

Made from bronze, the tweezers demonstrate the Romans’ skill in creating durable, functional tools. Their smooth, olive-green patina and well-preserved surface texture testify to centuries of survival underground, making them an exceptionally rare survival of an everyday object.

In Roman Britain, much like modern times, personal grooming reflected both hygiene and social norms. Tweezers were usually part of a larger suite of tools used for self-care and appearance, often carried in portable toiletry boxes by both ordinary citizens and military personnel. This small but elegant artefact provides a connection to the practical, domestic life of the early Roman Empire.

Specimen Details

specimen: Tweezers (Vulsella

Age / Era: Roman Empire, circa 50–300 CE (~1,700–1,976 years old)

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 55 mm long

Weight: 2.4 g

Condition: Good fabric with smooth olive-green patina

Provenance: Metal detecting find, Southern England

Notes: Precision-crafted tweezers used for personal grooming. Reflects the daily life and hygiene practices of Roman Britain.