ANGLO-SAXON COPPER ALLOYS FROM LECHLADE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Summary. A range of copper-alloy artefacts from the early Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Lechlade were analysed using X-ray fluorescence. There were few pure bronzes or brasses in the assemblage and most alloys contained significant amounts of zinc, tin and lead in variable ratios. In view of the current theory that supplies of new metals and ores were limited and Anglo-Saxon metalworkers normally used scrap metal, the compositions were used to assess the techniques of the craftsmen supplying this community. It is concluded that re-use of copper alloys was prevalent but that metals were selected quite carefully for particular applications, with regard to the metallurgical characteristics required.     

THE TETRARCHIC IMAGE

Summary. The portraits of the Tetrarchs form a relatively coherent group after the confusion of images of earlier third century emperors (for a recent catalogue see L'Orange 1984). Their distinctive style, with its square, stylised features, has been labelled 'cubist'(e.g. Vermeule 1962a). The use of such images as the porphyry figures in Venice (Fig. 1) appears to have been deliberate imperial policy (L'Orange 1984, 103 for references). The aim of this article is to discuss what the Tetrarchic image was intended to express, how it was evolved and what influence it had on the course of Roman portraiture.