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Description: | A cast copper alloy bovine (bulls head) vessel / bucket mount dated to the late Iron Age / Early Roman period 100 BC - 200 AD. The mount is realised in three dimensions; being an irregular triangular shape in plan and sub-rectangular (broadly D shaped) in cross section. The sides of the mount are rounded and deliberately faceted and the rear face is relatively flat with two much corroded iron projections. The mount measures 41.8mm length, 39.2mm width, is a maximum 19.3mm thick and weighs 55.84 grams.The front face of the bulls is most elaborately decorated. The top edge of the bulls head is horizontal (being relatively flat) and is sub-oval in shape. The sides of the mount then taper along their lengths, terminating at a slightly flared snout; both sides of the mount are symmetrical. At the widest point of the head before the edges start to taper are located two (one each side of the head) projecting horns. These horns are slightly offset from one another. Both are oval in plan and crescent shaped in profile, they are also conical and taper toward a blunted tip. Both horn tips have been abraded but would seem to terminate in rounded points. Around the base of each horn, at the junction with the head, are single circumferential grooves delimiting the base of the horn. There is no evidence for the presence of either cast or incised ears. At the centre of the mount, between the two horns projects an iron stud (see below for discussion on this). It seems that this functional feature has been augmented to provide a decorative forelock of hair. Below the horns the sides of the mount taper to form a long relatively slender nose. Below the forelock, on either edge of the mount, are two incised panels which delimit eyes. Each is a broadly oval shape (with pointed tips) and been formed by relatively crude carving. Between the eyes and extending down the bridge of the snout is a double incised line of decoration. This is formed by two vertical lines between which are a double row of incised pellets / dots. These stop at the base of the nose, just before the swollen mouth terminal. On the lower edge (which is D shaped) two clear elements are shown, these are; a horizontal cast mouth formed from a V sectioned groove, from the centre of the mouth a slighter cast vertical line extends delimiting the muzzle of the bull. Across the top of the flared area a further double line of incised pellets extends horizontally; again delimiting the muzzle from the nose. On the left hand edge of the mount positioned above the horizontal line is a deliberately cast sub-circular recess (diameter 4.6mm). The function of this hole is unknown, but it is possible that it would have acted as a fixing point for a handle. If this were the case though, the handle would be decorative rather than functional. The only other decorative features on the front face are a series of slight grooves positioned around the entire head, these maybe caused as a result of filing, however, the could also be decorative depicting stylistic hair.The rear face of the mount is undecorated and relatively plain. It is relatively flat. From the upper edge of the mount a horizontal iron bar projects (14.8mm x 5.2mm). This corresponds with the iron 'forelock' stud on the front face. This iron fixing bar would probably have fitted to the vessel, acting as a relatively secure bonding point. Where the iron has corroded it has expanded splitting the copper alloy head. This has created a large crack which extends across the head of the mount and resulted in the patina laminating. A second iron stud, this time round in section (diameter 4.4mm) is positioned almost at the base of the rear of the mount. This stud is unusually, in that it does not extend through the front face of the mount. It must therefore have been positioned within the mould during casting, or be fitted through a hole in the reverse, which is hidden by corrosion product. There are no other rivet holes or side / top loop attachments present. The mount is a mid brown green colour with a well formed patina which covers most surfaces. The patina has been chipped in places, especially around the extremities of the mount, and horns. This is likely to be due to movement in the ploughsoil. This movement has also damaged the rear projecting attachment. Elements of the mount are relatively delicate due to the presence of deep rooted copper alloy corrosion, and pressures caused by the iron rivets expanding.A direct parallel for this mount has not been found. A series of this type of mount is published in Early Celtic Art in North Britain Volume 2 Cat Nos 313-320; however the dating is uncertain for the majority of the examples. Ms Angie Bolton (FLO for the PAS) is currently revising this class of artefact. It is hoped that her study will enable a new form of typology or classification to be established. On viewing this example she thought that it was likely to date from the early Roman period rather than from the late Iron Age as the features were more naturalistic than stylised.
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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