File:Figurative plaque from Roxby cum Risby (FindID 467262).jpg

Plaque. Pressed metal oval panel with a central sunken field and a fringed edge, now torn and folded along one edge.

The central panel bears an enigmatic scene of intertwined foliage and animal and human figures, a design standing in half relief with its negative impression on the reverse. This scene is dominated by a sternly visaged human mask with high forehead and swept back hair wearing a necklace; a pair of horses legs protrude from the necklace. Above the mask a reclining figure appears pregnant, and the upper part of a female figure crooks her arm over the reclining figure's head; two more limbs bear an uncertain relation to these figures, though one might be a suppliant arm raised by the pregnant woman. Below these is (perhaps) a bearded mask blowing a horn, and then a goose or swan and another bird or beast beside it which face up to a crouching long-eared faun which raises its right arm to strike at the bird; a backward facing dog or deer headed human figure either reclines above this or is being trampled by the horses's hooves.

The overall effect is somewhat disturbing. The style is influenced by Classical forms, though some aspects of figure style recall that of 17^th-century engravings, and the strange and violent juxtapositions produce a far from harmonious effect. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1650-1750. This object was kindly recorded by Pauline Harding.

Height: 106mm, Width: 70mm, Thickness: 1mm, Weight: 25.50gms.