SCEPTRE

An incomplete copper alloy socketed terminal or fitting of probable Roman date (AD 43-410) and of possible zoomorphic/ feline form. It has an old break across two projections (perhaps originally a loop or ears) at one end but is otherwise complete. The object is tubular in shape with the socket occupying roughly half of the length (with a depth of 16.2mm) while the rest of the object is solid; perhaps the solid end intended here to 'weight' the complete original object and give it balance. The object
The socketed section has two piercings opposite to each other at the edge. These measure c.3mm in diameter. To the inside of the socket is a sheet metal casing 0.6mm thick, with two piercings in line with those mentioned previously. This metal is of a different copper alloy, and grey-green/blue in colour. It slightly protrudes from the open end for c.9-10mm. The open end of the socket has some worn damage and measures 15.7x15.5mm in diameter. The walls are c.2mm thick and the internal diameter (inside the sheet casing) is 9.2mm. To one face of the socket there are three short but deep parallel transverse grooves c.11mm in length above the piercing, with a wider groove of simlar length across the piercing. These areas retain the original olive green coloured smooth patina of the object. There is otherwise no other decoration to the socket.
Above the socket is the solid section, and this is rather more oval in cross-section with a raised and slightly off-centre circular area in the centre on the face with the transverse grooves. Starting at the sides of the object and roughly half way up the circular area, a stepped groove runs around the back of the object. To the sides a vertical groove on either side extends upwards into the base of the truncated projections/ loop. At the reverse of the object there is a possible vertical groove from the loop to the stepped groove with two possible short diagonal groove to one side. However the object is very badly pitted and this area is badly obscured. There are two further short diagonal grooves at the base of the shorter projection on both faces of the object.
Between the two projections/ loop truncations (c.3 and 3.5mm in diameter) is a concave area max.5.2mm wide which retains the original smooth olive green coloured patina of the metal. The breaks on the projections appear to be relatively recent and are a bright mid-green in colour.
The object is otherwise a grey-blue green in colour and heavily pitted. It measures 38.2mm in length, 18.2mm in max.width (solid section) and 15.7mm in max.depth (socket). It weighs 29.59g.
No parallel has been found for this object. A date between the late Iron Age and medieval period is suggested based on the patination of the metal and the manufacture of the object. Adam Gwilt (Principal Curator of Prehistory, National Museum Wales) comments, 'I cannot identify it as a specific diagnostic artefact type of Bronze or Iron Age date. I'm wondering whether it could be a hilt or handle terminal, perhaps to something like a knife or vessel? And If so, is a Roman date a possibility? The break edges are tricky to interpret, as very worn and insubstantial - I suppose they may have continued to form a loop, and the internal surface between the ears seems fresh and grooved, which might be consistent with this idea. The distinct sidedness with one moulded and curved dome end is also perhaps a clue to the object perhaps having had upper/lower, or outer/inner sides. It would be interesting to know whether there was any iron/bronze or wood surviving inside the socket. Finally the distinct groove near the upper side perforation, with two concentric incised lines around, might perhaps suggest a rivet with a sizeable head - perhaps decorative?' (pers. comm. February 2018).
Sally Worrell, National Finds Adviser, comments 'I think this owl (or is it a cat!) is from a Roman sceptre handle. I don't know of a parallel, but owls were associated with Minerva' (pers. comm. February 2018).