VESSEL

An incomplete copper alloy anthropomorphic vessel mount, probably for a tripod, dating to the Roman period AD 43 to AD 410.

The mount is hollow in the form of a female bust with a plaited hairstyle that runs around the top of the head and culminates in a bun with an upward kink. The face is divided into two parts by a straight triangular nose; on either side the eyes have been incised by two diagonal lines in an almond shape. Above the eyes are two thinner lines for eyebrows. A small mouth is indicated below the nose with another incised line. The head is oval in shape with small marks for ears. The rear of the bust is pierced, possibly for a separate L-shaped hook which is now lost. The base appears broken, revealing the inside of the mount as hollow. 

The body is roughly trapezoidal in shape, with no indicator of arms present except slight extensions on the shoulder. The sex can also be identified by small, slightly emphasised breasts on the chest of the mount. 

The object has a dark green patina with slight evidence of orange colouration suggesting that the mount may have been in contact with an iron object. 

In terms of iconography, it is not possible to say whether the mount is meant to depict a particular goddess, high-status figure or a generic female figure. The facial features are representative of Iron Age artwork when compared with a similar anthropomorphic fitting from Castle Gotha, Cornwall (Cornish Archaeology 1982, Vol 21: 146-7, fig 18). However, the plaited hairstyle with upward kink on the bun suggests a 3rd century AD date when compared with female iconography on coinage and artwork dating to the same period (pers. comm. Martin Henig, 24/09/2021). 

A very similar example, identified as a "Celtic Goddess", was found in Cirencester, Gloucestershire (Toynbee 1964: 103-4 and pl. XXVI). The sex of the individual in that example is made clear by two pellets on the chest. 

Similar tripod mounts have also been recorded on the PAS database including ESS-A9905A, LIN-1632D1, PUBLIC-F077EF and LVPL-CB8B04. 

LVPL-CB8B04 is a close parallel in shape and features, however depicts a male figure. The facial features are very similar to this example and are Celtic in design. Another Celtic style comparison can be seen in an example found between found between Fotheringhay and Nassington, Northampshire (Northants Archaeology 20, 1985: 139). The treatment of individual features on this example is characteristic of Celtic workmanship and the eyes are executed in a similar style to the example from Cornwall. 

Dimensions: Height. 45.69mm; Width (i.e. from shoulder to shoulder) 21.13mm; Thickness, 21.85mm; Weight, 52.92g. 

References: 

Dix, B. 1985. A Roman figured bronze from between Fotheringhay and Nassington, Northampshire. Northampshire Archaeology No. 20, 139. 

Henig, M. 1982. Excavation at Castle Gotha, St Austell, Cornish Archaeology No. 21, 146-147.

Henig, M. 1995 The Art of Roman Britain. London: Batsford

Toynbee, J. M. C. 1964 Art in Britain under the Romans. Oxford: Clarendon Press