A late medieval horn stylus with golden ornaments in the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz

Abstract

The collection of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum in Mainz contains a light stylus of grey horn. Its spatula end is decorated with grooves and the shaft is inserted in a case of thin gold foil with additional groove ornaments. Material and decoration of this late medieval stylus, possibly originating in Mainz or its surroundings, are exceptional, some parts are even unique. Its delicate gold ornament and the fragility could indicate that the writing instrument belonged to an educated woman of noble origin, perhaps an abbess or a canoness who used it with the necessary care.