Rights Holder: Bristol City Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: GLO-BE1187
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Below is a catalogue of the items that were recovered form a base metal founder's hoard.
All photo were taken by Eve Andreski follow this link for more images http://eveandreski.zenfolio.com/p789221425
1) One complete dog statue in a standing pose with a large drilled hole in both of the front paws to attach the item onto a base. The shoulders of the animal are decorated with a large asymmetrical sub-oval panel with a pointed tip. The panel on the left shoulder is shorter than its counterpart on the right which has a more elongated tip that is situated lower down its flank. The left panel is decorated with five rows of half-ovals, each oval is infilled with a series of chevrons bisected by a central vertical line, giving the appearance of layers of leaves or feathers. Just beyond the tip of this left panel on the upper left flank of the animal are two holes. It is unlikely these are casting flaws but instead could have held pins where an object may have been mounted.
The right panel is more obovate, this has been infilled with a series of smaller obovates, as in the first panel these are infilled with a series of chevrons bisected by a central line and again give the appearance of layers of leaves or feathers.
On the underside there is a large square hole in the stomach and its genitals are clearly displayed .
214mm long 134mm high 50mm wide
2) Twenty fragments from large hollow cast bronze statue that would have stood about 3ft to 4ft tall (these items probably come from one statue but at this stage we cannot be certain)
• 2a) Ten fragments are drapery showing folds of cloth 1178.71g
• 2b) Two large fragments are from a shoulder (probably female) 479.37g
• 2c) One smaller fragment from the shoulder; 36.81g
• 2d) Four fragments, undecorated 238.08g
• 2e) One face fragment showing the side of the head and one eye 263.73g
• 2f) One fragment that has a lion or panther head terminal and folded drapery above 350.76g
• 2g) One fragment probably from the shoulder/upper torso that has a drilled hole and is surrounded by white metal (possible silver) 43.17g
3) Dodecahedron fragment retaining three knops
4) 3rd-4th century folding frying pan/ skillet handle fragment, see GLO-11A93C for a complete example
5) One face with curly hair, possibly from a vessel
6) One face of a figurine
7) One animal paw that is the foot probably from a chest or box
8) Two fragments of a thick copper alloy box. These are part of the base and wall; one is the corner that retains a curved projecting foot the lower corner.
9) One bulls head escutcheon or mount with loop above and truncated loop below
10) One Lion head escutcheon or mount (same as example from Lydney temple) with truncated loop above and three pierced lugs, one on each side and the third at the base.
11) One human head escutcheon or mount, the head is residing in the centre of a trefoil back plate with a flat top edge in the centre of which is a large projecting loop.
12) Circular escutcheon with notches running around the circumference
13) Four fragments of an inscribed plaque reading [...](V?)MCONLA[...]. This is made from a thin strip of copper alloy plate, the side profile of the plate show that it is curved giving it a concave rear with a convex face; overall dimensions length 121.5mm, height 28mm, thickness 1.2mm, weight 23.84g
Identification of the inscription is curtesy of Dr John Pearce of King's College London,
'The fragmentary state of the inscription makes it very difficult to interpret with confidence, but two main possibilities can be proposed. The inscription may record the collection of money by a corporate body (a conlatio) - perhaps the citizens of a community such as Gloucester or its elites - most likely to pay for an honorific statue for a patron... Alternatively, it records the reconstruction of a building which had collapsed (conlapsum) through age or a similar cause. Whichever reading is preferred, the fragment is likely to come from a significant public building.' (Dr John Pearce of King's College London, Pers.comm 22.09.17)
14) Possible vessel handle terminal. Although now incomplete, this would have had a circular cross-section; it is decorated with two protruding semicircles towards the terminal that would have been ears. Round handles with moulded animal terminals are seen on some pateras.
15) One Twisted wire bracelet fragment
16) One possible tweezers fragment
17) Four chest/box handles with a bead in the centre of the bar, square loop ends and acorn knop terminals, all four items are dissimilar enough to surmise they are from four different vessels.
• 17a) One complete example retaining both loop terminals, this is only one sided with a concave reverse
• 17b) One shorter handle that has a truncated terminal, therefore retaining the bar and one loop terminal
• 17c) Two square loop terminals
18) One furniture fragment of a leg and foot of a vessel, this has a hollow rectangular leg and an animal paw foot.
19) 4th century D-shaped buckle with decorated sheet copper alloy plate
20) Three domed sheet copper alloy items
21) Two fragments of a bracelet in the form of a narrow strip
22) Furniture fitting consisting of one large ovoid foot
23) Ten bell shaped casket decoration mounts; weight 60.04g
24) Twenty five cup/bell shaped furniture studs, some are complete and retain the pin behind while others are fragmentary
25) One disc shaped furniture fitting with raised rim
26) Sheet copper alloy vessel, box and furniture fragments, all have been removed from their parent vessel and folded in order to reduce their size
• 26a) Fragments for heavily corroded sheet copper alloy with no discernible markings; total weight 718.52g
• 26b) Fifteen fragments of various sized thin strips of sheet copper alloy with a line of pellets running down each side. These would have formed banding on boxes. Some of the longer examples have been folded two, three or four times depending on their length; total weight 40.95g.
• 26c) Nine fragments of undecorated thin copper alloy strips for boxes. As above, the longer examples have been folded several times to reduce their size; total weight 43.75g
• 26d) Various sized large plates that have cut holes that may have formed lock plates, most have been folded to reduce size; total weight 104.57g.
• 26e) Wide strip that has a thick band of solder running down either side, this item has been folded in two. 22.98g
• 26f) Square plate with embossed dome that is flattened and folded in two 37.81g
• 26g) Fourteen plates shaped into roundels; total weight 35.06g
• 26h) One flattened dome 19.67g
• 26i) Twelve large rectangular plates, four have an embossed linear border, one has an embossed pellet border; total weight 168.05g
• 26j) Six shaped plates with various embossed decoration, that would have formed coroners and possibly hinge plates; total weight 68.92g
• 26k) Plates with visible coroners; total weight 10.51g
• 26l) Circular plate with upturned lugs, possibly forming the end of a box or cap?
• 26m) One strip with rounded sides, this has three evenly spaced square central rivet holes, the middle hole is surrounded by red staining. 51.03g
• 26n) Plate fragment with a line of embossed rectangles
• 26o) Three narrow strips; total weight 2.81g
• 26p) Thick strip, one face is rough, this has been broken in two, weight 8.58g
27) One hinge
28) Four fragments of copper alloy slag, total weight 64.06g
29) One coin of Crispus globe and altar type dated to AD 321-324 minted in Trier
30) Spoon with elliptical bowl and narrow pointed handle
Subsequent action after recording: Undergoing further examination at a museum
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 318
Date to: Circa AD 450
Quantity: 1000
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 27th August 2017
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Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.