|
Date: |
|
Description: | A copper-alloy folding knife handle of Roman date in the form of a three dimensional standing panther, which is depicted facing forward and has a deeply-curved, S-shaped form. It measures 63.08mm in length, 11.81mm in width and 16.81mm in thickness.
Above the head of the panther is a rectangular block with transverse moulding at its top and base. A longitudinal slot runs down the back of the handle for its entire length. The iron blade is hinged at the block, which has corroded iron adhering to it and the remains of the rectangular iron blade projecting out from it, at a roughly 45-degree angle.
The panther below this has a broad head with small ears, moulded eyes, a short snout and rounded nostrils, there are three circular drilled holes along the line of the mouth, giving the impression that it is open. These holes run into each other and their function is unclear, they may have been to hold inset gems and are not in an obvious place to be associated with the suspension of the knife.
The body of the panther is swollen and arched forwards, below this is moulding representing the legs, this terminates in one large foot which has four paws and a suggestion of claws. The underside of this foot is slightly rounded.
This folding knife is likely to have been used ritually and folding knifes are often found at temple sites, this example is very similar to another from Standon, Hertfordshire see (BH-EIA355), which again depicts a standing panther and has three drilled holes in the mouth area, however, the holes do not join and are not as deep as this example. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 43
410 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
KNIFE
A copper-alloy folding knife handle…
-
KNIFE
A copper-alloy folding knife handle…
-
KNIFE
A copper-alloy folding knife handle…
-
-
-
Knife
A copper alloy folding clasp…
-
KNIFE
A copper alloy folding clasp…
-
KNIFE
A copper alloy folding clasp…
-
-
|