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BOX
Unique ID: SF-434D85
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy Roman lion-headed stud in the form of a stylised lion. It is circular in plan, pyramidal in section and with a hollow back face. The lowest part of the stud is undecorated and slopes steeply upwards. Above this there is a small, inclined platform or lip followed by a band of multiple transverse engraved lines that represent the lion's mane. This is followed by a more pronounced central circular projection on to which there are two incised dots surrounded by semi-circular incised lines to represent the lion's eyes, as well as transverse band of incised dots and grooves representing the mouth. Finally, the central projection, which is triangular in plan, symbolises the nose. This has a central dot with incised diagonal lines below. The reverse of the mount is hollow and is missing the central rivet due to old breaks. This example measures 24.61mm in diameter at the base, 16.96mm in height, and weighs 12.91g.
Mounts or studs in the form of lion's heads have been noted at a number of locations in Suffolk (e.g. SF-0096E3, SF-5AC647, SF-7A9D56, SF-8842 and SF-8319). They would have originally be attached to decorative wooden cremation caskets, such as examples noted in Essex (ESS-1AAD74) and at Skeleton Green (Partridge, 1981: pp. 312-316). Their usage is believed to represent the devouring power of death and the lion's head motif appears frequently on provincial Roman funerary monuments (Partridge, 1981: pp. 315). These examples are dated to the first or second centuries AD.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 200
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 16.96 mm
Weight: 12.91 g
Diameter: 24.61 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st October 2010
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Dr Andrew Brown
Identified by: Dr Andrew Brown
Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: WFL 015
Other reference: Finder's Ref.: H
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Babergh (District)
To be known as: Little Waldingfield
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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