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Description: | A complete but slightly damaged copper-alloy base, or pedestal from a vessel, of probable Roman date. This object is circular in plan view (38mm in diameter) with a central circular aperture (9.5mm in diameter) through the object, and formed broadly of a curved and decorative upper body (20.8mm in height) on a flared decorated base. The upper part of the object is formed of four raised triangular peaks topped with globular knops, with semicircular gaps between. Three of these raised triangles have been folded in on themselves towards the centre through post-depositional damage, and the other remains upright, though at a slight angle in from its intended curvature. The internal surfaces are plain, while the exterior has been decorated with a detailed foliate pattern in relief. On each of the raised peaks is an inverted heart-shaped border within which is a simplified fleur-de-lis with an elongated central point; this is attached at the base of the heart to a curved vine scroll which leads to a vine shaped leaf in the centre of the space between the triangular peaks. The base of the fleur-de-lis is delineated by a pair of small diagonal incisions. Below this is a small twisted rope band (the effect formed by fine, diagonal nicks) and a lower ridge.Below, the body narrows to a waist (Dia.: 13.4mm), before expanding to a circular foot (c. 29mm in diameter) decorated with narrow triangular cells forming a sunburst pattern. For a similar treatment cf. NMS-FFBFB1 on this database. Red enamel is visible between this triangular decoration with light-green, which is perhaps decayed red (Griffiths 1986, 2). On the underside of a plain zone below the cells are three small globular knops which form feet; there is an irregular break in the circumference where a fourth might have been. These recall a statuette base recorded on this database (ref. BH-FEEB56); this possibility is not ruled out for this object. On the underside, a small amount of orange-brown corrosion product is visible suggesting attachment to iron. The object otherwise has a largely blue-green colour with some roughness to the surface as a result of corrosion, especially internally.
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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