Figurines Data

Search again | Database help

ID	454
Images	No image in database
Grid Ref	SU4424
Project type	Chance
County	Hampshire
Site	Otterbourne
Site Name	Silkstead Sandpit
Site Type	Religious
Location Type	Temple?
Context	Unknown
Context Quality	1
Site Date	IA-Roman
Context Date	Unknown
Object Date	C1-2
Object Period	2
Material	Bronze
Secondary Material	Pebble inset eyes
Other finds from site	Tile and building flint
Import	No
Place of manufacture	Local
Location	Winchester Museum
Ref No	WINCM: ARCH 263.16
M/F	Female
Age	Child
Form	Head
Type	Human
Name	Girl
Bearded	No
Clothed	No
Drapery	No
Condition	Head only
Classical	1
Quality	Stylised 1
Photo	Yes
Illustration	No
Height	1123.00
Length	0.00
Parallels	Megaw 1970, no 239+240
References	Pitts 1979, no 247; Toynbee 1964, 57, 1962, no 8; Anon 1938, 196, pl XXVI; Denford 1992, 37, fig 9 [Link to Bibliography]
Description	exhibiting a similar fusion of classical and Celtic traits. . Roman are the three-dimensional structure of the skull, the full, plump face and small mouth, and the realistically rendered shortish hair, which is simply waved on either side of a central parting and ripples down over the crown and back of the head as far as the junction of the neck and shoulders. Celtic are the completely unrealistic ears outlined by hatching, and the large, almond-shaped eyes, also outlined all round by hatching to indicate lashes, while the pupils consist of tiny black, inset pebbles from the Reading Beds. The treatment of the eyes is, in fact, reminiscent of that on the late La Tene bronze masks from Welwyn. This portrait is difficult to date. The coiffure could be either a variant of a Julio-Claudian style or influenced by the simple, classicized hari-style affected by Sabina, Hadrian's empress, in her later years (Toynbee).