"It's the smaller objects that really speak to you directly as an individual, as a person."
Curator Chris Lightfoot on an early Roman eating implement.
Explore this object:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/257863
Throughout 2013, The Met invited curators from across the Museum to each talk about one artwork that changed the way they see the world.
Photography by Anne-Marie Kellen
Subscribe for new content from The Met: https://www.youtube.com/user/metmuseum?sub_confirmation=1
#TheMet #ArtExplained #Art
This Roman gadget was clearly designed to impress
"It’s the smaller objects that really speak to you directly as an individual, as a person."
Christopher S. Lightfoot
2 min. watch
Contributors
Christopher S. Lightfoot
Curator, Department of Greek and Roman Art
Curator, Department of Greek and Roman Art
More from The Met
The author of After Sappho offers a queer feminist reading of Eve and the serpent, reimagining sin as likeness, desire, and bodies transcending gender and species.
Selby Wynn Schwartz
January 9
Author Leena Krohn reflects on Helene Schjerfbeck’s portrait of Sigrid Nyberg.
Leena Krohn
December 18, 2025
Video
Superfine Artist Tanda Francis, shares her inspiration behind the design of the custom mannequins used in the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibition.
October 23, 2025
More in:Art Explained
Art Mentioned
A slider containing 1 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Roman
ca. 3rd century CE