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Description: | A cast copper-alloy fragment - possibly the terminal from a Roman sceptre handle. The object is a open sleeve with a thickened and flattened end (Dia.: 23.8mm; Th.: 3.55mm). Above this the sleeve tapers to a diameter of c. 18.55mm and narrows to a thickness of 1.45mm. The internal diameter is c. 16.5mm. Just before the object tapers there is a circumferential incised line. Having tapered there is a triple groove above which a double ridge. Above this the fragment has suffered a large loss implicating around half of the side. A similar decorative treatment continues on the extant side comprising regularly spaced circumferential ridges flanked by grooves. Such a decorative treatment seems characteristically Roman, with bone sword handgrips bearing comparable ridges (e.g. Chapman 2005, 11; ref. Ab04ff.). It is tempting to suggest that this is the handle of a priestly sceptre such as those found at Wanborough, Surrey (O'Connell and Bird 1994, 109; fig. 27) as has been done with similar objects recorded on this database - e.g. SUR-E5BC26. However, the regularity of the object and flatness of the terminal might mitigate against this identification, although no direct parallels have been found in terms of post-medieval candlesticks, for example. A 2nd-century Roman date is therefore tentatively suggested. The piece has a grey-green patina with some pitting and corroded green metal below. The internal surface has a generally dark-grey surface with some scratches.
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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