MOUNT

A cast copper alloy anthropomorphic socketed terminal fitting of late Iron Age to early Roman date. The object is 34.5mm in height and has a tubular body, 13mm in diameter with a terminal in the form of a human (male) head, moulded in three dimensions and measuring 18.8mm wide by 19.7mm long. The head has typically insular “celtic” features including a triangular face and pointed chin wedge-shaped nose, small and narrow triangular mouth and bulbous oval eyes in triangular sockets. There are small round ears to either side of the head. The hair is defined by incised lines, with a line around the brow and parallel lines sweeping back across the head. The tubular neck has incised line decoration in the form of two parallel lines which sweep around, possibly suggesting a torc or clothing. The rear of the neck has a large projecting loop, 14.8mm in length and 14.5mm high which is integrally cast with the fitting and flanked with parallel bands of incised lines on the back of the neck. This measures 14.8mm in length and is 14.5mm high. The outer part of the loop appears poorly cast and is heavily worn, suggesting a use as an attachment to a chain or strap fitting which was subject to heavy use and considerable tension. The interior of the tubular neck / body is hollow, with damage to one side and a collar around the lower / open end comprised of an incised line margin and a prominent groove. The interior of the object has no traces of rusted iron or any other material, suggesting that whatever the fitting was mounted on may have been made of something organic, such as wood.

This object is of unknown function, but perhaps is most likely a terminal from something like a flesh hook or a sceptre.

Length: 34.5; width; 31.5; thickness; 18.8; Weight: 31.34