|
Date: |
|
Description: | A nearly complete cast copper alloy zoomorphic decorative mount, probably from the Medieval period, c. 12th-c. 13th century AD. The mount seems to be in the figure of either an aquatic mammal, such as a beaver or otter, or more likely, a stylised interpretation of a dog or lion. The mount is sub-rectangular in plan and in general is comprised of two body segments connected by a narrow torso: the front segment consists of a head (12.72 mm thick) and neck (12.50 mm thick) with two front 'paws' rising vertically from the base of the mount; the second segment consists of a wide haunch with two back 'paws' and the remains of one of two original sub-rectangular strips terminating in what seems to be a circular rivet hole to secure the mount. Two deeply incised vertical lines behind the head and positioned before the torso on both sides suggest a stylised mane. The head and neck are both oval in cross-section. The only features visible on the animal's face are a slightly pointed 'nose' or 'snout' and two circular depressions for eyes; one of the eyes is still inlaid with a black or possibly blue glass or stone 'eye'. The area indicating legs and the animal's chest curves outwards underneath the neck and forms part of the mount base. The legs or 'paws' are very short and sub-oval in section; it is possible that they were originally longer, but this is unclear due to corrosion in this area. Behind the vertically-incised lines, the torso is positioned in two nearly symmetrical tapering segments; the first segment tapers inward towards the narrow mid-point of the waist and then widens back out connecting into the haunches. The haunches are sub-oval in plan and roughly semi-circular in cross-section due to the concave curve on its underside. The legs or 'paws' on the rear of the animal are much flatter in cross-section than the front ones. At the top of the haunches near the centre, another circular depression similar to the eye sockets suggests that it would have been inlaid similarly. On the right side of the rear of the animal, a sub-rectangular flat-sectioned and integrally-cast strip protrudes with a semi-circular broken end. It seems likely that this end would have originally been circular and potentially used for further attachment from the upper surface. It is also likely that indication of wear at a similar position on the left rear side could be indication that this had another similar attachment strip and loop.The underside of the mount is undecorated, but has two thick mount lugs of slightly different thickness, both roughly oval in section. The underside near to the head and neck is flat in comparison to the underside of the haunches and the mount lug covers most of that area. The rear segment of the mount surrounding the second lug is significantly concave, unlike the mount strip connected to the end, which is flat to the surface of the front segment, torso, and rear legs.Overall measurements: 42.4 mm long, 23.3 mm high (at front), 19.4 mm wide (maximum); weight: 30.62 grams.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
FIGURINE
An incomplete cast copper-alloy Roman…
-
FIGURINE
Cast copper alloy votive figurine…
-
FIGURINE
Cast copper alloy votive figurine…
-
MOUNT
A late Iron Age or…
-
STIRRUP
Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian) copper-alloy stirrup-strap…
-
KNIFE
A cast copper alloy fragment…
-
FIGURINE
Cast copper alloy animal figurine,…
-
-
-
FIGURINE
Incomplete cast copper alloy Roman…
|