ESS-E2C1E5: Ceramic head of unknown origin

Rights Holder: Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
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UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

Unique ID: ESS-E2C1E5

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation Find awaiting validation

Fragment of a ceramic ornament in the form of a human female head. The precise original function of the artefact is unknown, but it is likely to be modern (post 1800), and part of a decorative or ornamental feature. It has been suggested that the head could represent part of a ceramic candle holder, of the 'circle of friends' type.

The item is solid and seems to have been made in two halves, as there is a raised seam running around the head. The material appears to be terracotta.

The features of the face including hair, eyes, nose and mouth are incised and are delicately and intricately presented.

There is a break just below the 'neck' suggesting that the head was at one time attached to a body.

Dimensions: weight: 5.3g, height: 21.3mm, width: 15.3mm, thickness: 15.9mm

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MODERN
Period from: MODERN
Period to: MODERN
Date from: Circa AD 1800
Date to: Circa AD 2000

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Height: 21.3 mm
Width: 15.3 mm
Thickness: 15.9 mm
Weight: 5.3 g

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Ceramic
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: Eastern (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Essex (County)
District: Maldon (District)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: TQ9596
Four figure Latitude: 51.62901247
Four figure longitude: 0.81602356
1:25K map: TQ9596
1:10K map: TQ99NE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Other
Specific landuse: Garden

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: ESS
Created: 6 years ago
Updated: 6 years ago

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