VESSEL

An incomplete and plough-damaged sheet copper slloy vessel, possibly used for a cremation, dating to the first century AD. The vessel is globular with an everted rim and flat base with low pedistal rim. The base shows concentric rings and a central dimple, suggesting that a lathe was used to raise the metal into a thin sheet. Hammered sheet metal? There is evidence for other lathe-risen metal vessels from Misbourne Valley, near Amersham, Bucks, and also on this database (SWYOR-ED47D0 and GLO-048BB1). No decoration evident. Rim is quite substantial and out of proportion to the rest of the vessel. The ibis head rim is silvered. There is no evidence for silvering on the vessel and it is possible that the rim does not belong to it at all - it may have come from another vessel, not located by the detectorist, or alternatively, it could have been associated with the vessel as an offering.

Alternatively the birds may be swans - the serrations along the beaks (tomia) and the lack of distinctively curving beaks, although possibly restricted to the curve of the vessel rim, could indicate that the birds are swans rather than ibises. In comparison to other ibis and swans images (?) or Roman date, including the ibis toothpicks from the Hoxne treasure (BM 1994,0408.145-6), and the possible cart-fitting rein ties, these may be swans rather than ibises. Which makes it more boring....

The ibis is a symbol of the Eqyptian god Thoth - god of scribes, wisdom and medicine, akin to the Roman god Mercury. There is evidence of Eqyptian cult worship in Britain, including temples dedicated to Isis. An ibis head inlay was discovered in the late 19th century at Chiddingfold villa / religious site in Surrey.

Ibis head vessels. 1st century AD cremation urn (damaged by plough) and remains of a second, more elaborate and silvered vessel.

The swan is seen as an embodiement of Jupiter, the Roman version of the supreme Greek god Zeus, and the story of Leda and the Swan, where Zeus takes a swan's form to sleep with Leda and hide from Leda's mortal husband. Leda then gave birth to children fathered by both her husband and Zeus, including the Dioscuri, the future Helen of Troy, and Polydeuces.