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Description: | Cast copper alloy Roman mount sometimes known as a 'bell shaped stud'. It consists of a disc that is 18.8mm in diameter and 2.64mm high from which extends a circular shafted 'neck' for 2.44mm. The 'neck' is slightly stepped having a diameter of 13.44mm. The 'neck flares out into a wide, shallow bell shape, 6.48mm long and 23.82mm in diameter. This makes the object circular in plan with a flared trapezoidal section. The rim of the 'bell' is curved. The 'underside' of the bell or flared area is countersunk with a flat bottom. Protruding from the centre of the countersunk area is a conical boss, 5.7mm high and 6.02mm wide at its broad end, which has a concave depression in its tip, making it flat across its top. To the reverse of the stud, to the back of the disc, are the remains of an iron rivet or shaft. The object has an over all length of 16.1mm and weighs 21.38g. The original surface of the object survives mostly within the countersunk area with a dark green patina. Exposed surfaces are light and bright green. Mounts of this type are probably decoration from furniture or vehicles, though they may have had any number of uses. Allason-Jones and Miket, 1984, The catalogue of small finds from South Shields Roman fort, illustrate a number, of which 3.903 is a close parallel to this object. It is worth noting that Crummy 1983, The Roman small finds from excavations in Colchester, illustrates a lock pin with a similar shaped terminal, which might also indicate a use for these mounts.
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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