This exquisite enamelled bronze cockerel figurine was found by our archaeologists late in 2011 during excavations at the site of Cirencester’s western cemetery.
Posted on 09/21/2014 12:47:35 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The find is believed to date to the middle decades of the second century AD. It came from the grave of a child aged 2–3 years. The child had been buried in a nailed wooden coffin and also accompanied by his or her shoes, of which only the iron hobnails survived, and a pottery feeding cup or ‘tettine’.
Only eight finds of this type are known from the Roman world, from Britain, Germany and the Low Countries. It is believed that cockerel figurines of this type, together with other richly-enamelled bronze vessels of high workmanship, were made in northern Britain and exported across the empire.
The Cirencester cockerel is the only example to have survived with its openwork tail and the only one from Britain from a grave. When first made it would have been extremely colourful, the metal bright, and the wings, breast, eyes and tail with a pattern of red, blue and yellow enamels.
To the Romans the cockerel held a special significance, linked as it is to the cult of Mercury. This association is thought to relate to Mercury’s role as a messenger to the gods and the cockerel announcing each new dawn. Surviving statues of Mercury, including an example from Cirencester, commonly feature a cockerel at the foot of the god. Mercury’s role as herdsman for the dead, accompanying the souls of the recently dead to the afterlife, may help to explain the presence of the Cirencester cockerel in a grave – an expression of a bereaved parent’s concern to ensure a safe journey.
The Cirencester cockerel will go on display at Corinium Museum in September.
(Excerpt) Read more at cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk ...
This exquisite enamelled bronze cockerel figurine was found by our archaeologists late in 2011 during excavations at the site of Cirencester’s western cemetery.
In modern France, this is associated with skis.
This story warms the cockerels of my heart!
Copies shortly to be available on Alibaba
My cockerel spaniel likes it, too.
LOL!
That’s funny!
A two year old’s toy. A poignant reminder of family love and loss.
Artifact - Statuette of an Auriga
http://archive.archaeology.org/1205/artifact/auriga_statuette_african_charioteer.html
I wholeheartedly agree.
Back around 1961 lots of political cartoons showed Fidel Castro choking a chicken.
The story was when he went to NYC his men bought live chickens and slaughtered them for food in his hotel room.
Thanks for NOT saying “3nd century CE”. Was deployed to Cotswolds during Gulf War 1 and found Cirencester to be one of my favorite towns. The museum there is incredible for Roman history.
That’s just beautiful!
What an amazingly preserved piece.
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