The hoard was uncovered by chance in a field near the village of Chaourse and had been deposited wrapped in cloth. Coins were also found with the treasure, the latest dating from the Gallic emperor Postumus. It appears that tableware was buried shortly afterwards, during the reign of Gallienus, although the context of the find remains obscure. While a few of the objects date to the 2nd century, most originate from the 3rd Century AD. The names of two people - Genialis and Cavarianus - are inscribed on some of the silver vessels. They were probably the original owners of the service, who for some reason decided to bury the hoard for safe-keeping. Six years after its discovery, the entire treasure was purchased by the British Museum.