Corinium Museum- Roman Objects 1

[poliphilo]

The Corinium Museum underwent a multi-million pound refit six years ago- and is now the model of what a small, regional museum can be. It has some fascinating things.

And, o joy, they permit photography.

Here are some objects from the Roman collections.

1. Corinium had its own school of mosaic workers. This is an example of their work.



2. A sculpture- in high relief of the three Matres- or mother goddesses



3. The Matres again



4. A goddess has been joined by the three genii cuculatti- pixie like figures in hooded cloaks. No-one knows quite who they are or what they stand for- but they were widely popular- and one can't help thinking that they influenced medieval faery lore.



5. The genii cuculatti again- reduced to hoodies on legs...

Comments

Well, I looked at the genii cuculatti and immediately thought...

[jorrocks-j.livejournal.com]

..."Sam, Frodo, Pippin and Merry. It's obvious. And there they are again in their elven cloaks..."

Tolkien was so deeply and passionately knowledgeable about early-medieval antiquities, that I wonder if he might have seen such images and thought, little men in cloaks and hoods, off on a mysterious journey...Who are they? Where are they going? And why?...

Re: Well, I looked at the genii cuculatti and immediately thought...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think you're probably right.