ROMAN SPATULA

43

Miniature bust, probably of Minerva, cast in copper alloy. The artefact is 39.64mm in length. It is likely to have formed part or all of the handle of a wax spatula; at the base is a shallow slot, which presumably was once longer (that is the base has been broke off), to hold the iron blade of the spatula. The bust has a high crested Roman-style helmet, with a neck guard but no cheek pieces. The hairline is visible above the face, and the face is crudely made, with a slight raised bump for the nose and an incised line for the mouth. The robes on the shoulders and chest are crudely indicated by two almost vertical lines on the obverse for the folds of the robe, and two lines on the obverse and reverse for the high-waisted belt. The breaks at the slot are worn, suggesting that the figure was altered and reused as a votive object. The metal has a dark green colour and a smooth surface. This artefact is similar to others in this database with the numbers SF-3292E6, LIN-69A207, HAMP-4EB6C5, HAMP2607.