FIGURINE

Roman enamelled copper alloy zoomorphic figurine of an owl The cast, free-standing figurine is near-complete but is well-worn (with a height of 31.2mm and a weight of 35.0g). The owl is naturalistic and is depicted standing on an integral sub-circular plinth (with a diameter of 20.6mm - 22.2mm and a thickness of 4.4mm). The sides of the plinth are bevelled to the underside, which is flat with no means of attachment or adhering solder. The top of the plinth has an undecorated border with file marks evident around the feet, which are positioned near the centre. The feet are not well defined but the talons are discernible as raised and pointed mouldings. The owl narrows above the feet, before expanding to the body and with the legs evident as rounded mouldings at the base of the belly. Curved grooves either side of the breast and belly denote the folded wings and a deeper grove and moulding above the breast defines the base of the head. There is the suggestion of more subtle incised lines on the breast but are now heavily-worn. Likewise, little detail of the feathered wings survive on the side because of wear. On the rear, curving chevron grooves leading to a vertical groove at the base define the rear of the wings and tail. The head of the owl is facing forward and is oval (13.4mm wide and 8.6mm long) with an incised chevron to denote the beak, now worn. The eyes are recessed circular cells (of 5mm diameter) and contain blue enamel. There is the suggestion of a circular central edge to the enamel, possibly indicating a different coloured enamel or perhaps central clear glass setting. The top, sides and rear of the head has no surviving decoration. The owl (with a height of 26.0mm, excluding the plinth) is widest and deepest at the shoulders (14.0mm wide and 13.2mm deep). The wear on the sides, and to a lesser degree, the front of the bird is striking and suggests the object has been extensively handled through use. Elsewhere, the surface is well preserved with file marks-evident on the underside of the base and around the feet. The surface has a dark-green to brown patina. The owl figurine is difficult to closely parallel. Green has recorded two owl figurines, one from Chester (Green, 1978, p52 plate 65) and another from Willingham Fen (Green, 1976, p 210) . Both the Chester and Willingham Fen owls are depicted standing, open between their legs and with the tail projecting at the rear and are of a similar style to each other but differ from this example. All three owls however share enamelled inlaid eyes. Owls are associated with the goddess Minerva in the Roman period and this example does not appear to have been a decorative mount or handle from an object but may have been a free standing religious or cult object.