Haslingfield, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, England: Roman cockerel figurine
Object Type: Figurine
A complete, cast copper alloy figurine in the form of a cockerel. The cockerel is three-dimensional and is depicted standing with its head slightly turned to the right. The head is wedge shaped. The beak is cast crudely and continues from the crest on the top of his head. One incised eye is visible. . The main body is oval and a horizontal ridge half way down on either side marks the extent of the wings. Feathers are picked out as incised, cross hatched decoration. The tail comprises two rounded and conjoined rectangular extensions decorated on the surface with a series horizontal incisions. On the back of the body in the centre is an integral loop set on the same plane as the cockerels' body. Although there is a depression in this loop, it does not appear to be fully perforated. The legs are depicted as one solid cylinder terminating in a flat, disc-shaped base. There is a small circular perforation at the back of the solid cylinder which may be a casting flaw. The figurine measures 28mm in height, 35mm in length and 15mm in width. It weighs 27g.
This object is very similar to many other copper alloy cockerel figurines that are usually thought of as being votive objects (see Evans, 2000 p366, fig. 88 no's 112 & 114 for parallels, and p367 for discussion on cockerel figurines). The main difference between this cockerel and the others cited is the presence of the integral suspension loop on the birds back. Two other birds with loop are known on the PAS database; one from Suffolk, recorded as SF2736 and one from Lincolnshire recorded as LIN-6056C8. The presence of a suspension loop might suggest that it was used as a steelyard weight, however the range of very similar votive objects might suggest other functions still within a votive context. Another uncontexted and unrecorded parallel with suspension loop is illustrated in Benet, 2003, 2nd edition, p223.
Findspot: Haslingfield
Dates: EARLY ROMAN (Certain) to MIDDLE ROMAN (Certain), Post 43 AD - 300 AD
Further information
Method of Manufacture: Cast Length: 35 mm Quantity: 1
Material: Copper alloy Width: 15 mm
Decoration: Thickness: not defined Preservation:
Surface Treatment: Diameter: not defined Completeness:
Weight: 27 grams Evidence of reuse:
Discovery Information
Found by: UNKNOWN OR ACCESS RESTRICTED, About 2007
Method of Discovery: Metal detector during controlled archaeological investigation
Additional Information
Primary Identifier: UNKNOWN OR ACCESS RESTRICTED
Secondary Identifier: not defined
Recorded by: UNKNOWN OR ACCESS RESTRICTED
