VESSEL

A cast copper-alloy zoomorphic vessel foot with integral zoomorphic spout of uncertain age, (see discussion).

Description: The object has a circular base, flat on the base and slightly convex on the upper surface. Evenly placed on the base is a pair of long thin legs, which are roughly semi-circular in cross-section. The legs re-join at the body which is represented only as the very front of the chest, from the chest projects a long thin hollow neck, U-Shaped in cross section. The neck projects at roughly 105-110 degree angle from the legs. The upper edges of the neck has incised keying possibly suggesting the point of attachment to a larger vessel or liquid container. The head has a blunt snout with a flick a the end of the upper jaw representing the nose, a long gaping mouth, protruding oval/lentoid eyes and pointed irregular triangular ears. The head is hollow and line sup with the channel on the neck. There is evidence of finishing around the details of the head and legs in the form of filing. The entire object is a dark brown colour.

Measurements: 43.59mm high, 38.644m long, base 19.34mm in diameter, 11.99mm wide at the shoulders and 30.75g in weight.

Discussion: The exact identity and date of this object is uncertain, Dr.Adam Gwilt at National Museum Wales has observed that a number of features (The protruding oval /lentoid shaped eyes and the moulding of the muzzle and ears of the animal) can certainly be paralleled on certain other bovine, deer, dog and boar figurines and that it may relate to a form of strainer vessels with zoomorphic mounts in late Iron Age La Tene style. That all being said a number of similar presented objects are known from Romanesque art from the 12th century such as FAKL-8A09C2.

Without further research or metallurgical analysis it is not possible be to more certain about the identity of this object.