Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: DOR-6E73F1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy mount in the form of the bust of a man. The detail and pose are quite naturalistic and well executed. The hair is short cropped and swept forward into a short fringe. The ears are large and project outside the hair. The eyes are oval with clearly delineated lower lids and brow line. The nose is triangular and is slightly squashed (this is probably the result of damage to the mould the object was cast in). The mouth is narrow, but both lips are visible. The chin projects slightly and is rounded. The head is slightly turned to the right. At the base of the neck is a small, flat oval projection of uncertain purpose, but possibly representing a bulla (an amulet worn by Roman boys, but also worn by adult males at important ceremonies). The lower part of the chest is draped before a curving truncation. The drapery has a wavy upper edge and is formed into a curl over each of the truncated shoulders. The back is flat with a slightly uneven surface resulting from the casting. There is a rectangular sectioned integral rivet projecting from behind the neck.
The style of the bust is similar to representations of emperors on coins and in other portraiture of the first century AD. Ralph Jackson and Philippa Walton suggest that the flat backs and attachment spike indicates that such mounts may have been applied to caskets or other furniture. For a parallel see database record BH-84F731.
Date: Roman - c.AD 43 - 200
Dimensions: 27.32 mm x 20.96 mm x 14.39 mm
Weight: 19.28
Notes:
For parallel see BH-84F731
This is a find of note and has been designated: Potential for inclusion in Britannia
Class: Figurative
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: ROMAN
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 200
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.32 mm
Width: 20.96 mm
Thickness: 14.39 mm
Weight: 19.38 g
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st July 2011 - Sunday 31st July 2011
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Other reference: SCMS 021764
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.