ROMAN VESSEL

43

Romano-British enamelled handle terminal of a vessel, probably a patera or trulla. The end of the handle is trilobed. In the centre, a triangular area is engraved in Latin: BEBE SESE This can be translated as "Drink yourself", the first word being an incorrect spelling of 'BIBE', second person singular imperative, and sese, the accusative of the personal pronoun sui. The letters have been filled with red enamel, although in places the engraving is so shallow and narrow that no enamel survives. Both words are followed by a small triangular enamel-filled field. Above and below the inscription, following the sides of the handle is a running scroll reserved against a (now empty) enamelled field. Maximum width 36mm, minimum width 24mm and surviving length 35mm.