Hi, all. Here is a curious
terracotta fragment and I am wondering if anyone has seen something similar. A cursory
search of
Google and the
New York MMoA came up blank. At first I thought it might be a sculptural
oil lamp fragment, but the "filler hole" is quite small and regular, and the top and left
side do not really seem to be fractured, so I don't see how it could have been a hollow vessel or other
complete figure. Maybe some
type of toy? Any ideas on date and function would be appreciated. Thanks, Jimi
BCC CG32
Terracotta Tiger Sculptural Fragment
1st - 6th century CE?
Moulded
terracotta clay fragment in the form
of a tiger, perhaps a
votive offering or toy. The
top edge of the piece does not seem to be broken?,
so possibly it was not a hollow figure in the round
but rather a one-sided appliqué, with a round
mounting hole pierced from the decorated
side.
The unglazed light tan, medium fine-grained clay
was pressed and smoothed into the mould from
the back, leaving smears and traces of fingerprints.
On the left, the rear of the haunch also appears to
be unbroken, and was intentionally cut while the
clay was wet leaving a smoothly finished edge.
5.6cm. x 2.8cm. x 1.0cm. 14.3gm.
Surface find
Caesarea Maritima, 1970's.
(click for larger pic)