Figurines Data

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ID	177
Images
Grid Ref	TL9925
Project type	Chance
County	Essex
Site	Colchester
Site Name	Greytown House, High Street (Cups Hotel)
Site Type	Colonia
Location Type	Unknown
Context	Unknown
Context Quality	1
Object Period	0
Material	Bronze
Location	Colchester Castle Museum
Ref No	COLEM 1976.52
M/F	Male
Age	Elderly
Form	Figurine
Type	Human
Name	Comic actor
Aliases	Priapus
Bearded	No
Standing/Seated	Standing
Headgear	Mask
Clothed	Yes
Clothing description	Tunic and sandals
Drapery	No
Condition	Good, slightly corroded.
Classical	1
Quality	Classical 3
Photo	Yes
Illustration	No
Height	91.00
Length	0.00
Parallels	Boucher 1973, no 164+184; Rolland 1965, no 182; Faider-Feytmans 1979, no. 58
References	Pitts 1979, 33-5, no 157, pl 24; Crummy 1975, 32d; Hutchinson 1986, 218, Me-25, pl Ivc; Crummy 1983 no 4267 [Link to Bibliography]
Description	An elderly male actor is represented, wearing sandals and a comic mask, but draped and posed in the manner characteristic of Priapus. His garment is a baggy, long-sleeved and hooded dress which, at the back, reaches to just below the level of his knees. At the front, the actor clutches the hem of his skirt with both hands, lifting it high to display his erect phallus and a pile of roundish fruits which are heaped within the folds. The mans pose is somewhat more animated than that commonly given to real Priapi: his feet are planted apart, his right leg is slightly bent, and his torso twosted a little to the right. He has, moreover, the stooped back, pot-belly, and scrawny limbs of a rather deformed old man. (Hutchinson). Face mask a grimace with large upturned mouth, wide flat nose and wide set eyes. Hood tunic adds to a rather hunchbacked appearance. Arms at sides, hands holding hem of skirt. Stands on a small rectangular base. Loos folds of gown at front emphasises his hunched pose. Scalloped edge of skirt, drapery loosely depicted by incised grooves. Top of head bald, ears quite large. Wavy incised hair at back of head. Figure leans back.