FIGURINE

A Romano-British cast copper alloy figurine, probably of Cupid, dating to the Roman period. The figurine, which is probably incomplete, depicts a naked winged male figure standing with crossed legs (right in front of left), with right arm raised and left arm close to the body, bent at the elbow and possibly holding an indistinct object. The two small wings project sideways from the back and may be decorated with incised lines representing feathers. The right arm and left wing are probably damaged. The figure may have shoulder-length hair but the head is also pointed at the top, which is similar to other Romano-British figurines of Cupid which depicts him with an elaborate top knot.

The figure is very worn all over so features are indistinct but he appears to be slightly chubby, which is suggestive of youth and further supports the identification as Cupid. It is 35.86mm tall, with a wingspan of 15.99mm and is 7.30mm thick. It weighs 8.68g.

The pose of right arm raised and left arm close to the body is common in Cupid figurines, with several examples on the database which can give us clues as to what (if anything) this one is holding: NCL-2C40A4 depicts Cupid with his right arm raised into a fist (possibly once holding a dove), and left arm with outstretched palm; BERK-EA42E1 depicts him with right arm raised to ear level and left arm resting on hip; FAPJW-D8ABE4, which also is a very clear example of shoulder-length hair with a topknot, depicts him with right arm raised above his head holding a jug, left arm close to body holding plate or patera.