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Description: | A copper-alloy object of uncertain date and function. No parallel could be found for this piece; however, it is thought that it is probably a clip-on candle holder, possibly a Christmas decoration, and probably dates from the 18th to early 20th century. The object takes the form of a three dimensional bird. It has been made in two pieces, a top half and a bottom half, and is hinged at the centre. It seems likely that two opposing protruberances on the inner surfaces of the tail probably held an iron spring (there is attached iron corrosion), which could be squeezed together, opening the bird's mouth, which could then be clipped onto something. The incised cross-hatched lines on the underside of the beak add wieght to the theory that this part of the object was designed to grip. The bird is elongated in form, with a long neck and stylised facial features. The body is long and narrow and terminates in a forked tail with moulded feathers. The wings (one of which is broken off), are held by the side of the body and also have moulded indentations indicative of feathers. On the upper surface of the body, immediately above the hinge, is an attached circular dish. Set within the recessed base of this dish are four small circular holes and a central pellet, all surrounded by small circular indentations. It seems likley that the function of this dish was to hold the base of a candle. A short circular protrusion emanating from the underside of the body probably represents the point at which the candle holder was attached to a base.The object has a dark green patina and is slightly bent. In addition to the tail area, there is attached iron corrosion at the hinge, probably from a corroded axis bar. The bird measures 83.8mm long, 43.7mm wide and 33.7mm high. The weight is 59g.
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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