File:Detail of figurine of probable medieval date (1250-1450). (FindID 105303-73198).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy three dimensional figurine of probable medieval date (1250-1450). The figurine is incomplete; it consists of a seated figure whose head has been broken, sitting on a throne, with a small child on its right knee. The child is sat upright with the right hand raised – possibly to offer a blessing / benediction. It is likely that this figurine represents the virgin / Madonna and child. It is sub rectangular in plan and profile. In cross section it is crescent (D) shaped, as the back is hollow, concave, and the front bowed, convex. The figurine measures 31.4mm high, 17.6mm wide and is 11.6mm thick. It weighs 16.53 grams.

 The decoration on the figurine is cast in one piece. The cast design is extremely intricate and executed with a great skill. The design can be broken into three main elements: the throne, the seated person, and the child. The throne or seat is shown stylistically, in that it is only hinted at in the design. The two main areas where it can be seen are on either side of the figure. Here it can be seen as two vertical ribs at the very back of the figurine. Both these ribs are decorated on two sides (the front and side; the rear is undecorated) with a series of horizontal bars and sub-rounded projections. The seated person is shown in great detail; the design consists of the trunk of the body, arms, and legs. The neck and head are missing; a rounded diagonal break is present. The decoration on the upper body depicts folds in the material of the clothes worn. This can also be seen on the arms where the sleeves and cuffs are shown in the design. The right hand is missing – this is probably because it projects from the body and has been lost through movement in the plough soil. The left had is shown supporting the child around its waste. The legs of the seated figure have a similar depiction of cloth around them and this is also depicted around the sides of the throne/ chair suggesting the garment of clothing is a dress. The feet and ankles are not shown. The material between the two legs at the front of the statute forms a distinct letter M, this may be coincidental but it could be deliberate hinting at the identity of the statue being Mary Madeleine. The child is shown seated on the left knee of the figurine facing forward. The legs are together with the left arm resting on the left knee. The right arm and hand is shown raised. This has been broken and abraded. The head has also been badly abraded and any features present have been lost. The reverse of the figurine is plain and undecorated, it is also concave. The base of the figurine is slightly thicker and this might suggest that it was designed so that the statute could stand without support. 


 

The figurine is a mid green colour with an even patina which covers all surfaces. Where detail has been removed through abrasion corroded metal is present. The damage at the top of the artefact is likely to have occurred in antiquity as a patina has developed over the break; this has subsequently been abraded in the plough soil. The other damage to the statue is also relatively recent. No direct published parallels for this artefact have been found, however, the figurine is similar to an example recorded by Frank Basford from the Isle of Weight: IOW-927020. This example has been examined by James Robinson, Curator of Later Medieval and Early Post Medieval Collections at the British Museum, who has suggested that such figurines are generally considered to be fittings from Precentors' staffs or crosiers. They may also have been used in association with tabernacles (the niche where the Eucharist is placed). These figurines date from the fourteenth century. A fine example of a similar figurine is in the British Museum Collections (BM 67, 3-20,1).