Figurines Data

Search again | Database help

ID	795
Images
Grid Ref	SP0201
Project type	Unknown
County	Gloucestershire
Site	Cirencester?
Site Type	Civitas capital
Location Type	Unknown
Context	Unknown
Context Quality	0
Object Period	0
Material	Bronze
Location	Corinium Museum
Ref No	B526
Form	Figurine
Type	Animal
Name	Bull
Bearded	No
Standing/Seated	Standing
Clothed	No
Drapery	No
Condition	Worn and slightly corroded; left foreleg missing and right foreleg slightly broken, tail broken
Classical	1
Quality	Classical 3
Photo	Yes
Illustration	Yes
Height	55.00
Length	66.00
Parallels	Boucher 1976, 171, fig 314+ 222, fig 377; Kaufmann-Heinimann 1977, no 91; Menzel 1966, no 94 + 1986, no 128, 131
References	Henig and Paddock 1993, 92, fig. 4, 10; Toynbee 1964, 123 [Link to Bibliography]
Description	The animal holds it head high; it is heavily dewlapped and has prominent ears and horns. The tail is curved upwards over its rump. Its left fore-leg and part of its tail are broken away. . . Both two-horned and three-horned bulls occur on Romano_celtic bronzes. Bulls were often endowed with divine attributes by the Celts. Amongst the Romans, the sacrificial bull was of great importance. The figurine would have been an appropriate gift for deposition at a shrine (Henig). Fairly simple rendition, although the strength of the beast is emphasised by the heavy dewlaps and fine musculature of the body. Nicely curled horns with fairly large ears below. Although now slightly corroded the face is quite engaging with the head tilted to the right. The top of the head between the horns is decorated with herringbone pattern.