Four Bronze Figurines from the Trinovantian 'Civitas'

Abstract

In 1973, during excavation of the probable mansio (TL 709 062) by one of the writers (PJD), a small cast-bronze cockerel (ht 38 mm; PL. XVIII 1) was found in a context sealed by a rubble layer, laid down c. A.D. 150.The bird is naturalistically rendered and well executed, with the detailed decoration, particularly pecking to indicate plumage, added after casting. The dome-shaped base retains part of a projection, indicating that the object was either fixed to a stand, or formed part of a larger composition.