FIGURINE

An incomplete cast copper alloy figurine, possibly of Cupid, dating to the Roman period (c. 43-410 AD). The figurine has an elaborate hairstyle with a topknot and a possible wreath or curls around his head; his youthful and slightly chubby body is unclothed. The figurine's right arm seems to be outstretched upwards whereas the left arm is pointing downwards slightly away from his body. As most of the arms, along with the hands are missing, no attributes are attached to aid in positive identification. The legs are placed in typical 'contrapposto' position, meaning that the weight is placed on the back leg, slightly moving the right leg forward and tilting the hips. Both legs are broken above the knee and the left leg is almost completely missing due to old breaks. The detail on the figurine's face has been worn away slightly, but there are rounded eye sockets and a slight smile to the mouth; the face is rounded at the cheeks indicating its youth. The figure has a flat chest, unstructured muscles and a small phallus suggested at the join in the legs. The back of the figurine has been moulded as carefully in the front, with attention given to the form of the back and buttocks. A sub-rectangular moulded segment is visible over his right shoulder, which could indicate where wings would have been attached or perhaps a cloak similar to that of Mercury. It measures 67.41 mm high, 34.1 mm wide (maximum), 14.3 mm thick (maximum) and weighs 67.41 grams.

For a similar example on the PAS database, cf.: CAM-E31F28.