UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A cast copper-alloy artefact in the form of a hand holding a small spherical object between thumb and forefinger, and emerging from a square pedestal cuff with a flared top and stepped base with double corded decoration. Unfortunately, the images provided (see notes, below) do not show the cross-section of the object. A concomitant description, however, states that the underside of the hole features a circular hole filled with lead. As this description goes on to state, attributing a usage to this object is problematic. Suggestions included a tripod and a key handle, although no parallel for the latter could be found. On the other hand, suggested alongside the description were instructive parallel uses of this motif. Human hands holding small spheres, often between index finger and thumb, and above a cuff or sleeve, are found on the terminals of metal and bone hair pins across the Roman empire: Cool's (1990, 157) Group 7 metal pin type. The sphere has variously been identified as an egg, a pomegranate and an apple. To cite Cool (1990, 157): 'They probably had some symbolic meaning, either connected with orphic beliefs of life and death as argued by Mr [Paul] Arthur (1977) or as fertility charms or love tokens.' The same motif can be found in other Roman artefacts, for example ones identified as a rare knife handle (Murawski 2003, 106; ref. R04-0110), and a possible razor handle (Frere 1972, 122-123; ref. 64). It is possible that this artefact functioned as a handle, or was mounted as a symbolic object in its own right. A tentative date based around the second half of the 1st century AD is suggested for this object based on the period of use identified for the hand-headed pins referred to above (Cool 1990, 157).