MOUNT

A copper alloy bird figurine. The figurine depicts a bird with outstretched winds and neck curved so the head faces one side. The tail is fan-shaped with a scalloped edge representing the ends of feathers. The neck and body are decorated with s-shaped incised lines; the wings and tail are decorated with thicker and more irregular lines all representing the feathers. This decoration is on both the upper and lower surfaces. There is a broken stump where the feet would have been, this is probably where the figurine was attached to another object. Dark-green patchy patina with areas of red base-metal showing through. Dimensions: length: 44.75mm; width: 39.63mm; thickness: 25.65mm; weight: 25.34g.

This object was originally thought to be a Roman votive figurine of the first or second century AD, probably representing a phoenix (due to the long slender neck and short pointed beak) rather than an eagle (an eagle's beak would be more curved). Figurines of birds are often found on religious sites in southern England, and their use alluded to the practice of augury where priests were able to divine the will of the gods from studying bird flight (Booth & Henig 2000:125). 

However, there are many other very similar examples recorded on the PAS database and they are now considered to be post-medieval or modern. See record NMS832 for further arguments, and note the textured surface of many, which is inconsistent with a Roman date; also compare DENO-C5C0D2, which has traces of a black coating.