VESSEL 511918

Description: An incomplete copper-alloy Roman vessel lid handle (probably), in the shape of a small bird, most likely a duck. It is missing most of its integral rivet, by which means it would have attached to the vessel lid. There is also some damage at the end of the beak and on the underside edge around the breast and tail. Measures 23.42mm in length, 11.21mm in width and 15.22mm in height. Weighs 8.5g. The underside of the bird is tear-drop shaped in outline, the breast being the rounded part. It is partly hollow, with a c.3mm wide bridge at the centre, from which the stub of the missing rivet (worn break and 3.71mm diameter cross-section) projects. This hollow underside is 7.59mm in max.depth. The remaining height of the bird is solid. The body of the bird is smooth and rounded, with some pitting on one side. The neck is short and the head triangular in both shape and cross-section, a ridge running between the eyes which are defined with a single circular punch. A short stubby tail is also defined, projecting from the back This bird is similar to one from a copper alloy vessel with spout and strainer in the Kingston Deverill hoard (WILT-92B052). More are known from similar vessels discovered at Brandon, Suffolk and at Santon, Norfolk. These bird lid handles are believd to be Roman and date to the 1st century AD. Other parallels on this database are SF-DF4933, SF-3BA2C7 and SF-EB55A2.

Date: 1 - 100

Object type: VESSEL

Last import: August 15, 2017