File:2008 T581 late Medieval religious figurine (FindID 234941).jpg

Late Medieval (late 15th to 16th century) cast gold figurine. Standing male figure, with shoulder length hair and a beard. The face is formed of two depressed ovals for eyes, a prominent nose with some damage at the tip and a depressed line for the mouth. The figure is robed, being draped over both arms. The figures right arm is bent across his body, holding a scroll inscribed 'Ecce Agnus Dei' in black lettering. The scroll is curled forward at the base. The right hand has two cast fingers which are visible, the remainder of the hand disguised by the scroll. The figures left arm is bent and reaching forwards. The hand is upturned to hold a circular disc (salver) with a central circular gold rivet through it: the reverse is complete, however there is a break on the front.

There is a small amount of damage to the top of this disc. The figures robes are ankle length, revealing the detail of the feet, cast with toes. The figure is standing on a rectangular plinth with concave sides. There is a slight scratch across the lower surface of the base. On the reverse of the figure, located just below the hair line is an integrally cast loop, presumably for suspension.

32.72mm long. Base: 7.15mm by 8.60mm3.90mm thick. The disc (salver) has a diameter of 6.15mm and is 0.62mm thick. The scroll is 16.11mm long, 2.10mm wide, 0.44mm thick. The loop has an external diameter of 2.99mm and an internal diameter of 1.44mm. It is 1.4mm thick. Weight 11.32 grams.

British Museum report:

A medieval figure of John the Baptist. The saint is shown not in his usual attribute of a camel skin, but in the robes of a prophet. He gestures with his right hand to a salver, which he holds in his left. This was originally designed to carry a lamb, signifying the Lamb of God. A scroll issues from the Saint's left hand and is inscribed with the words : ECCE +AGNUS+DEI (Behold, the Lamb of God)

The figure stands on a small plinth with a finished base. It is designed to be seen in the round and on its back there is a loop for attachment to an object. It would probably have been entirely enamelled, but no traces of enamel survive on the figure.

The figure is gold and dates from the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century.

Dimensions: height 33 mm, width 11 mm, depth 10 mm.

Consequently, in terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

J P Robinson Curator of Medieval Collections 30th March 2009