Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Toreuma

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

TOREU'MA (τόρευμα). Probably, an ivory carving, executed by a sharp-pointed instrument (caelum, tornus), worked by a lathe or wheel; though it must be confessed, that much difference exists respecting the accurate meaning of the word. It is derived, without doubt, from the Greek τορεύω, to bore; which is often applied in the same sense as τορνεύω, to turn, or work with a lathe; and as both the Greek and Latin languages supply distinct terms for the various processes of carving, casting, chasing, engraving in intaglio, inlaying, beating out, and into moulds, as well as every other style now known or practised, except that of working by the point and wheel, which operates upon the principle of boring, it does seem reasonable to believe that the term was employed to designate a class of works executed in the manner described, whether in ivory, very hard stone, or silver. One thing quite certain is, that the toreuma was regarded as a highly choice and valuable production (Cic. Pis. 27. Sall. Cat. 21.); and that it is generally referred to small objects, mostly articles of use, employed as drinking vessels (Suet. Jul. 47. Cic. Verr. ii. 4. 18.), and ornamented with figures or other devices in relief. (Mart. x. 87.) The same term is also given to a drinking-cup of fictile manufacture (luteum rotae toreuma, Mart. iv. 46. Compare xiv. 102.); where the name toreuma can only acquire its meaning from the turning of a potter's wheel.