|
Date: |
|
Description: | Incomplete chalk figurine. The figurine is of uncertain completeness and form. The surviving part of the object is roughly oval in plan with slightly concave sides. In cross-section the object is rectangular. The two longer sides of the object are original and complete, however the shorter sides are both broken, one of which has a circular looking break as if it continued into some form of neck or shank. The reverse of the object is rough and undecorated. The figurine has an incised decoration on the front and the two long sides, and although not quite symmetrical in pattern, it looks as if it was intended to be. The decorations consist of five semi-circular bands on each side running from the lower edge of the side to just short of the centre of the face. Each band is decorated with lattice work. The very centre of the object has a recessed oval area with a deeper circular hole in the middle. This hole does not pass all the way through the object. It is not clear what the carving is trying to represent. The object might be the body of a person, and the lattice work might be representative of some kind of outer garment such as a waistcoat or jacket, however this does not account for the central feature unless it was designed to be functional. Alternatively the carving could be in the form of a snake head. It is also possible that the decoration and central feature were designed to be symbolic of female fertility, in that the motif portrays female reproductive organs. Chalk carvings are known from the Neolithic however none display fertility qualities. The object is more likely to be medieval in date judging from its findspot and associated finds.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
FIGURINE
Incomplete chalk figurine. The figurine…
-
FIGURINE
An incomplete wooden figurine of…
-
FIGURINE
Complete copper alloy figurine in…
-
FIGURINE
Complete copper alloy figurine in…
-
-
-
-
figurine
Small lead cast Tudor figurine.…
-
FIGURINE
Small lead cast Tudor figurine.…
-
|