VESSEL

A worn fragment of cast gilt copper-alloy object probably part of a Roman (c.43-410) jug or tankard handle.

Description:

The object consists of a long strap D-shaped in cross section and curving outwards at the top. Just below the begining of the curve is a piece of moulded decoration in the form of a quatrefoil which stands out signficantly from the handle. At the bottom is a rivet hole in the centre of a medium sized circular device/flat boss with a bar before and after which in turn each have an incised line on. These lines are one of the few points which retain gilding, the only other point which contains gilding is the buttom left point of the quatrefoil. The circular boss may have had more decoration but it is now obscured by significant iron oxidastion, one wonder whether it may have been a circular band of white enamel here. The bottom terminal is an iregular spherical knop which face outwards from the bar. The reverse/inside of the fragment is undecorated and unfinished except for a very small point just after the turn which appears to have been smoothed. There is a slight indentation behind the circular boss. The object is light green and mottled grey except round the boss which is cream and light brown.

Measurements: 70.9mm long, 13.41mm wide, 15.12mm thick (band 3.94mm thick, 7.43mm at the quatrefoil) and 16.46g in weight.

Discussion:

This object is not clearly identifiable but shares a number of features of roman copper-alloy vessel handles including the boss and bar design seen on: LEIC-4E7513. Dating is broad due to fragmentary nature.