Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

missing (cf Pitts 1979, pl 18, 89). Her right hand probably
supported a rudder. The goddess is clothed in a full-length
sleeveless tunic and a cloak which is clasped on the left
shoulder and passes below her right arm. She stands on a
small flat base. Her hair is arranged in a style similar to that
of 4261. The figure is classical in style and was almost
certainly imported from the continent. Height 39.5 mm.
Fig 168 Figurine of Abundantia (1:1)
4265 Fig 169 SF IRB 55(C), 73. Topsoil. c 12th century. A copperalloy
right arm with a large dowel atthe top to enable it to be
fixed to a torso (and probably be movable when attached).
The hand is held outstretched, palm downwards, with the
thumb clear of the fingers. There is a similar piece from
Verulamium (Waugh and Goodburn 1972, fig 49, 136).
Length 46.0mm.
Fig 169 Arm frojn a figurine (1:1 J
Fig 170 Figurine of Mercury (1:1j
142
4266 Fig 170. A fragment of a copper-alloy figurine of Mercury.
This piece was found with the aid of a metal detector in soil
moved by contractors in 1977 from the area of the Balkerne
Lane site to the bottom of Balkerne Hill during the course of
redevelopment works. The object was subsequently loaned
by the finder, Mr E P Humphreys, to the Trust for drawing
and recording. I am indebted to Mr Humphreys for his cooperation
and the chance to publish this piece. The
discovery of this item in spoil from the area of Balkerne Lane
could indicate that the figure may be associated with one of
the two temples on the site (Crummy 1980, 266-72; see also
4273 and 4274 below).
The figure is broken off at the knees. The god is standing in a
relaxed pose, with his cloak falling from his left shoulder
covering his left arm which is held slightly away from the
body. The left hand is missing, but probably held a caduceus.
The right arm hangs down close to the body, and the right
hand probably held a purse. The god is looking to his right
and wears a winged petasos the wings of which are
damaged. The figure is clearly well made and of classical
style and is probably an import (Toynbee 1964, 71). Height
66.5 mm.
4267 Crummy 1975, 32. A copper-alloy figurine of a comic actor.
The figurine was found during building works following
archaeological excavations on the Cups Hotel site (now
Greytown House). The object was found close to the west
boundary of the site. 2
It has been described and discussed in
detail in Pitts 1979, 32-5, pl 24, 157.
Animal figurines (Figs 171-177; 4268-4279)
Fig 171 SF LWC 3028(C), J825 F262. Shallow pit. Period 4.
A small copper-alloy bird. The underside of the figure is flat
and has a short shaft for attachment to a surface of some
kind. The figurine is perhaps intended to be a duck, as the
beak is quite prominent and the flat bottom and squat body
are reminiscent of enamelled duck brooches. However, in
view of the discovery nearby of a cockerel (4269) there is a
possibility that this is a chicken. No detail of eyes or plumage
is visible on the bird, but despite this the figure has a lively
aspect. Length 14.0mm, height 12.0mm.
4269 Fig 171 SF LWC 3033(C), J826. Make-up. Period 4a. A
copper-alloy cockerel with stout legs. Two small
semicircular-opposed cut-outs, one at the bottom centre of
each wing, suggest that the bird may have been held in an
upright position by something inserted into these slots. The
figure is quite roughly made and stylised in design,
especially when compared with enamelled cockerel
brooches (Fig 14, 75, 76). The head with its raised comb and
prominent eye is particularly unlovely. The plumage is
indicated by strong irregular slashing done when the metal
was cold, and the primary feathers are shown beside the
short vertical tail as deep grooves. Beside other cockerel