FIGURINE

A solid cast copper alloy figurine of a crouched four-footed creature, 31 mm long, 26 mm high and 12 mm wide, probably representing a sphinx with a more anthropomorphic face and the body of a lion. The figurine is crouched or seated with the hind legs tucked under the body and the two front legs extended and curving inwards as though they once clasped something, with the head upright and facing forward. One of the front feet is broken off half way. The head has moulded oblique waves of hair running down from the top of the head to the leg, which may be intended to represent the sphinx's wig, as it is longer than a lion's mane. The hair surrounds a grooved circular border, within which the face is slightly convex but with no protruding nose and an open mouth, though this surface is damaged. The base of the figurine is flat and there is no obvious sign of a pin or rivet to fix it on to anything. The surface of the object is pitted and lightly corroded, except along the spine, where an even patina survives, so that not all the elements of the design are clear.

A very similar example of a sphinx in material, size and appearance is illustrated in Murawski (2000) on page 87, no.R09-0405(A) where it is described as a Roman mount, and rare in Britain.

Hammond (2016) also illustrates a Roman bronze figurine of a lion in the same position on page 442, no.AS-64706.