Figurines Data

Search again | Database help

ID	914
Images	No image in database
Grid Ref	SJ6174
Project type	Metal detector
County	Cheshire
Site	Weaverham
Site Type	Unknown
Location Type	Unknown
Context	Unknown
Context Quality	1
Object Period	0
Material	Bronze
Secondary Material	Silvered, inset eyes?
Location	Returned to finder
Ref No	LVPL-CB6114
Form	Figurine
Type	Animal
Name	Three horned bull
Bearded	No
Standing/Seated	Standing
Clothed	No
Drapery	No
Condition	Feet missing
Classical	0
Quality	Stylised 2
Photo	Yes
Illustration	Yes
Height	46.00
Length	71.00
References	Worrell 2008, 355-6, fig. 9; PAS database [Link to Bibliography]
Description	Cast copper alloy figurine of a 3-horned bull from the Roman period. It is solid and is almost complete. . . The bull is standing with its front right leg raised as though about to walk. All the feet are missing from the legs, they are worn at the bottom. The back right leg has broken just below the haunch. On the shoulders and top of the back of the bull there is some incised detail in the form of small wavy lines, meant to represent the mane. There are traces of silvering on the shoulders and on other parts of the body. It is likely that the entire body was silvered but that it has worn away. There is some corrosion on the surface of the bull and the original surface has been lost in places. This has given it a mottled effect. The tail is curled back on itself and is laid on the bulls back. The bulls large genitals are clearly visible when the figurine is right-side up. They have been preserved by the legs taking the majority of the wear. The face is triangular in shape. The snout is cylindrical with a rounded end. There is no sign of marks for the nostrils but the surface is worn so they could have been lost. The eyes are circular and socketed and are 2.5mm deep. When the eyes were cleaned a black substance was seen inside the sockets. It is possible that there was enamel or even stone/glass in them. The central horn is clearly visible but the outer two are broken off just above the ears. The 2 points which suggest that this figurine is a religious object are the large genitals and the 3 horns. The design of 3 horns has its origin in Celtic traditions where there was a 3-horned bull god, Tarvos Tigaraus (Kenyon; 1943; pp75-76.). Bulls were regarded as important symbols of supernatural power and the fact of having 3 horns (triplication) increased it.s importance (Read, Henig and Cram; 1986; 346-7). In Roman times the 3-horned bull ceased to be the symbol of a god, it was a sign of strength and fertility, a good-luck symbol (Green; 1978; 24). The genitals are the link to fertility and strength, phallic objects were common in the Roman period as good luck symbols. . .This figurines is quite different from other known examples in the style of its design. 2 other examples have been recorded on the PAS database- SF-DCB627 and BUC-668F82- from Suffolk and Oxon respectively. . .The findspot is also very interesting as it is from rural Cheshire in the North West, far away from other known examples and not near a large settlement (PAS).
PAS id	LVPL-CB6114