File:Roman Figurine (FindID 283831-273842).jpg

English: Complete cast copper alloy (Bronze) Roman figurine. The figurine is of a naked male with strong muscle definition particularly on the chest and back. The face, which is bearded and has thick eyebrows, is angled upwards and to the right as though the figure is looking up at something. The figure is either wearing a coronal headdress or the hair has been fashioned in this manner. The right arm is held out to the right, slightly bent at the elbow, with the palm held up flat in a 'stop' gesture. The left arm lies alongside the left side of body holding a staff or branch close to the body. The figurine has no lower legs and has been deliberately fabricated to end at the mid thighs. The figurine may have originally been mounted as if to appear as though emerging from water. Protruding from the back of the thighs, possibly also designed to appear as if emerging from water, are a pair of serpent-like scaled creatures, rather like eels with prominent dorsal fins, which are curled around, one to either side, of the figure with their heads pointing away from the figure at the level of the upper thighs. These creatures may be stylised dolphins. The identity of the figure is uncertain, it is unlikely to be Neptune due to the lack of trident, distinct crown and also the slightly submissive posture. It may be another water related deity. Dated broadly to the Roman Period c.43-410 AD. due to the patina this figurine, although of Roman date, could possibly represent a Modern or Antiquarian loss.

Dimensions: 57.3mm length (height), 44.9mm width (maximum from right to left), 14.8mm thickness (maximum from front to back), 71.5g weight.