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Description: | A lead alloy plaque depicting a lion, and of possible Post Medieval date. This is a sub-rectangular plate of lead alloy moulded to represent a lion (or similar big cat) advancing right in relief. The left front paw is raised and the tail is carried above and along the animal's back. The face of the animal is obliterated by modern damage. The beast stands on a raised line along the base of the plaque. The edge of the plaque follows the general shape of the lion and appears to be complete. The reverse is plain with slight hollows, probably formed by the metal contracting as it cooled. The position of the tail is similar to the way lions are depicted on Medieval buckle plates for example. Roman coins were found in the same area, but also Medieval or Post Medieval weights.The plaque was originally compared to a Roman copper alloy example which is better made: GLO-5DDF44. The record notes that: "Other votive plaques have been found during the Uley Shrines excavations [near the findspot of GLO-5DDF44]; these depicted either human figures and deities or flora in the forms of leafs, (see Woodward & Leach, 1993, 103-112) but no animal representations were found on any of the plaques. Woodward A, Leach P, 1993, The Uley Shrines: Excavation of a Ritual Complex on West Hill Uley, Gloucestershire: 1977-9, English Heritage in association with the British Museum Press." However, Sally Worrell (Roman Finds Adviser) has looked at the Uley examples more closely, and does not feel that this lead example is Roman.Compare also LVPL-F96E87 which could be Roman or Post Medieval. Given the Medieval style pose of the lion, a medieval was then suggested, but the function of the object is unknown. Peter Robinson (Curator at Doncaster Museum) points out the similarity of the pose of the lion to this Early Medieval strap end: http://www.time-line.co.uk/antiquities/avar-hunting-scene-strap-end-0105, but Kevin Leahy (PAS Finds Adviser) suggests that it is more likely to be a Post Medieval "sport"; a moulding made in lead for no particular purpose.
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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