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Description: | An incomplete and much abraded cast copper-alloy harness pendant likely to be part of the military parade uniform of the Roman cavalry in the later 1st century AD (50-150 AD). The pendant measures 43.7mm in length and 36.4mm in width, it is a maximum of 4.3mm (minimum 3.3mm) in thickness and weighs 16.38 grams. The suspension loop and outer edges have all been lost through abrasion. Originally the pendant would have been symmetrical and sub-oval (roughly heart-shaped). Now the fitting is broadly sub-oval. The lower half of the pendant would have been divided with three terminals. Each half of the heart tapered into a terminal which curved up and out, the end of which touches the outer edge of the pendant, there is an open work hole where the terminals curve up. Each of the outer terminals would have been moulded, probably to represent an oak leaf with a scroll-like tip and has an acorn hanging from its centre. These outer elements have been lost through abrasion. The centre of the pendant has two parallel roughly oval-shaped pierced holes which have been heavily worn. Below these another hanging acorn-shaped moulded projection, which hangs between the outer hanging acorns would have been present. Again almost all of this design has been lost. The design is limited to the front face of the pendant; the reverse is relatively flat and undecorated.The cast design on the front face is augmented by further applied decoration. This consists of incised opposing vine tendrils, leaves and bunches of grapes. Again these have almost all been lost through abrasion and corrosion. These were probably originally inlaid with niello, which survives in patches. Areas on the front and side faces of the pendant suggest that it originally was covered with an applied sheet of silver foil.The pendant is a mid - light green colour with significant areas of abrasion and active corrosion. Very little of the original patina survives. What does is limited to the upper decorated surface at the centre of the pendant. Very similar pendants of the same shape and decorative design are known from Doorwerth, and Wroxeter. The decoration of all of these examples employs imagery derived from the oak tree, having oak leaves and acorns moulded on low relief, mixed with Bacchic designs, that is vine tendrils, leaves and bunches of grapes, presumably related to Bacchus' association with horses. (Bishop and Coulston 2006, 120-122, fig 70). A similar, mor complete example of a similar pendant has been recorded from Waldringfield, Suffolk (SF-BC1C94).Finds of such individual pendants are quite commonly found on sites where Roman soldiers were based or visited and are presumably stray losses. This pendant was presumably one of several similar examples each originally suspended from a phalerae, a type of strap junction.
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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