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Description: | An incomplete cast copper-alloy Early Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon, c.410-700) unidentified object, possibly a die stamp. It is sub-rectangular in plan and broadly flat in section. The upper edge of the fragment appears complete, with the lower edge slightly uneven, suggesting prior continuation of this artefact. The upper surface depicts a central stylised figure composed of a central oval face and elongated narrow torso, wearing a helmet with two large curved horns above. The oval face of the figure is raised from the flat body of this artefact and appears convex in section. In the centre of the oval are two small incised lines which might possibly represent eyes, with a series of linear striations to the upper left portion of the head possibly indicating hair. The torso is narrow and has a rectangular vertical panel that runs down the centre; this is decorated with a plaited design. To either side of the narrow torso are two slightly curved arms. A hemispherical band is visible above the head of the figure which follows the curvature of the oval head; this represents the helmet, and two large inward curving horns can be seen to extend from the centre of this curved band. Beneath these, in the space between the horns and the helmet is a raised circle. To either side of the shoulders of the figure and at the lower extent of the arms are four small circular indentations; these do not appear to pierce through the plate and may therefore be decorative rather than functional. The underside of this artefact is plain and undecorated, and the fragment has a dark grey-green colour overall.This fragment measures 31.3mm in length, with a width of 18.1mm and a thickness of 3.1mm. It weighs 6.47 grams.Stylistically, an Early Early-Medieval date is suggested for this find.Kevin Leahy comments "This is another example of a depiction of a figure wearing a horned helmet, the best known of which are the Pressblech mounts on the Sutton Hoo helmet. There are also the figures on the Finglesham buckle and on Ayton die. I am not sure about this being a Pressblech die as the relief seems a bit deep, but I can't think what else it might be" (pers.comm 2013). Cf. the detail on HAMP2432, also with a horned head, of which Sally Worrell writes "usually images of horn-helmeted figures appear on full figures, often in pairs and/or performing some kind of ceremonial dance with weapons, in Germanic areas right through from at least the 7th century until the early Viking period. They seem to be connected to the cult of Woden".
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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