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Description: | An incomplete Roman (AD 100-250) copper alloy and iron spatula, the handle of which is in the form of Minerva, of Feugère's Type A5. It is missing part of the iron spatula blade and the object is now in three pieces (two of which are iron blade). The copper alloy handle retains a small section of blade. The object measures 163.74mm in length (the handle alone is 79.60mm long). It weighs 82.05g.The blade expands from 23.15mm wide at the base of the handle to 28.75mm at the other end (over c.85mm), where the break is relatively fresh. The break across the blade is similarly fresh, but the break below the handle is stained orange and probably older. The surface of blade is badly disfigured with corrosion, but measures c.3-4mm in thickness.The handle depicts the bust of the goddess Minerva, wearing a high crested Corinthian helmet. The crest has a central groove which from which it bifurcates (with deep triangular grooves cut into the edge of each ridge) and gives way to a third central rib as it widens. The crest measures 4.20mm wide at the base and expands to 12.01mm wide at the other end. The head below is worn and a little crude, with a flattish nose and hollows either side for the eyes. The mouth is barely discernable. Below the helmet is a groove, from which the moulded and rather crude semi-circles of hair extend. At the sides are diagonal curving grooves and above the nape of the neck rather closer together and shorter straight grooves. The chin is narrow and the head set a slight angle on the neck, turning a little to its left.The shoulders are 19.05mm wide, sloping to max.20.64mm at the top of the (missing, intentionally) arms. The torso is rather triangular in shape below with slightly concave sides and depicts Minerva draped, wearing the aegis, a protective garment covering her shoulders and upper body, and (probably) with a worn central Gorgon's mask on her chest. Flanking the torso around this and with a V-shaped neckline, is a wide raised rib with transverse groove decoration. To the reverse of the torso is a V-shaped incision below the neck and between the shoulders. Below is a narrow waist (7.81x7.33mm) which expands into the trapezoidal shaped base (18.86mm long, 15.23 to 21.47mm wide) which is curved and projecting at one end and with a split attachment end (max width) from which extends a fragment of iron blade, at the other. This is decorated to both front and back with a double wide shallow groove above the split end and a triangular niche on either side towards the other end.The handle is very worn with all original patina covered in concretion. Much detail has been lost.
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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