ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

43

Complete but worn cast copper alloy miniature table or altar leg of Roman date. The leg is curved outwards (bowed) at the top and then straightens towards the foot. The foot is in the form of a stylised lion's paw. The straight part of the leg, above the foot, is plain in decoration and sub-triangular in cross-section. Where the leg bows, above the straight section, it flattens in section. At the top of the bowed section of the leg there is what appears to be a stylised lion's head with an open mouth, facing outwards. Behind this head the leg has a L-shaped ledge, presumably for securing the central part of the table or altar top in position. The whole item, when complete was probably of tripod form.Please see LANCUM-D9C603 for a comparable find.Given the rarity of such items it is not possible to closely date this item and it has been dated broadly to the whole Roman period, AD. c.43-410.