|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete copper-alloy handle escutcheon, probably from a wooden bucket, in the shape of a facing bull's head in good condition. Measuring 38mm in length and 28mm in width at its widest point. On top of the head is an oval shaped projection with circular perforation measuring 5,4mm in diameter. The bull's head is roughly triangular in shape with a concave back face and a 3-dimensional front face, it curves from side to side to fit onto a curved vessel body. Below the projection there are two parallel horns which curve outwards from the head and bend slightly towards each other these taper to a point. Inbetween the horns on the front face there is a mass of corroded iron, this can also be seen on the back face in this area. This may be the remains of a large iron rivet or possibly a later modification of some kind. Projecting at right angles from either side of the head just below the level of the horns are two parallel ears, these curve backwards to fit against the curve of the vessel body. They are rectangular in shape with a rounded terminal end. Directly below the horns are two forward facing parallel eyes, these are circular and appear to be formed from a punched annulet with a dot in its centre/ring and dot motif. Below one eye there is a pair of longitudinal grooves, running down the side of the nose and another groove running down from below the eye at a 45 degree angle to the first. These could have been part of the original decoration but cannot be seen below the other eye. The nose is D-shaped in cross-section and has a central circular rivet hole through it, 2mm in diameter. the nostrils are highlighted with curving diagonal lines but are not very flaring. There is a step and then a flat rounded part projecting from the terminal of the nose. In contrast to the beautifully executed front face the back face is rather lumpy and unfinished, especially in the centre of the head where a larger area of iron corrosion can be seen than that between the horns on the front face. The round, not oval, eyes and the naturalistic, not flaring, nose show Roman influence and this mount probably dates to the first century AD or possibly even later. Well-known Iron Age parallels come from Ham Hill in Somerset and Dinorben in Clwyd (Megaw & Megaw 1989, p. 223); there is a cruder, probably Roman, example from Layham in Suffolk (LYM 005)and a more similar complete example from Great Waldringfield which differs in having additional lobes with rivets through and enamelled eyes (see SF-5462).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
BUCKET
A complete copper-alloy handle escutcheon,…
-
BUCKET
Copper-alloy handle escutcheon, probably from…
-
BUCKET
A cast copper alloy bucket…
-
VESSEL
A copper-alloy bull's head, probably…
-
MOUNT
Incomplete cast copper alloy zoomorphic…
-
MOUNT
A cast copper alloy bulls…
-
MOUNT
A cast copper alloy bovine…
-
MOUNT
A cast copper alloy bovine…
-
MOUNT
A cast copper alloy bovine…
-
MOUNT
An incomplete copper alloy zoomorphic…
|