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Description: | Copper alloy hollow-cast eagle-head mount. The base is almost flat with a slight flange, forming an oval aperture at the neck of the bird. On the top of the head a roughly cut hole results in a small (max 10 x 6 mm) hole. Below this the eyes are outlined in relief and have deep circular centres. The prominent beak has a marked cavity for the mouth opening. Other surface features are indicated by relatively shallow incised lines, badly obscured by corrosion and abrasion of the surface; they mainly consist of lozenge shapes (for feathers) on the neck, with a line of deeper grooves each side of the back, and some modelling and hatched lines at the edge of the beak. The metal has a dark green patina where the surface survives, but is a purple-brown where corroded. First impressions were that this might be post-medieval, however the size and shape are extremely similar to an eagle head from Ixworth illustrated by Roach Smith (Collect. Antiqua 1857) which Graham Webster includes with a group of objects interpreted as military cart fittings of 1st century date (Arch J 1960, 115). Height (from flat base to crest) 30mm, length (back of neck to beak tip) 40mm, thickness (at neck flange)16mm.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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