MOUNT

A probably Roman copper alloy mount dating AD43-410. The mount has been cast in the form of a fish or a dolphin with an elongated body which spirals around to form a ring. The tail flares out in a semi-circular shape and projects from the back of the ring. There is a rectangular socket projecting from the upper side edge of the ring. There are two fins which project each side of the head to form horizontal bars; the end of the one of the fins is broken and missing. The body of the fish is decorated with a scale-like pattern and there are flaring lines providing the detail on the tail. The fish has a broad, snub nose and the eyes are depicted by a ring and dot motif. On the underside of the head there is a circular, wedge-shaped lug or small stand which probably was in contact with another element.

Objects with similar depictions of fish or dolphins but slightly different forms are published on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database e.g. SWYOR-4D4182; LIN-5C2393 and LANCUM-F79885.

Ralph Jackson writes the style of the object is more Roman than Neoclassical and Hazel Forsyth added that she has not seen anything similar in the Post Medieval period. Jenny Hall suggests that it may have come from the side of a bowl and would have had some fitting attached through the rectangular slot, although she cannot find a parallel in the publications.

Dimensions: length: 58.43mm; width: 33.43mm; diameter: 27.93mm; weight: 39.08g.

Identification by Hazel Forsyth, Senior Post Medieval Curator, Museum of London.

Identifications by Ralph Jackson, Curator, Roman Collections, Department of Prehistory and Europe; The British Museum, Jenny Hall, Roman specialist and Hazel Forsyth, Senior Post Medieval Curator, Museum of London.