Arts Minister John Glen has placed a temporary export bar on an exceptionally rare bronze Roman figurine to provide an opportunity to keep it in the country.

The figure may be wearing a hooded woollen cloak known as the birrus Britannicus, which is specifically noted as being British in the Edict of Diocletian in 301AD.

It is extremely unusual for portable art from this period of Roman rule to depict a distinctively British character. Figures are usually shown wearing hooded garments of a different style common to Gaul and the North-Western provinces.

The level of detail displayed in this figurine and the quality of its execution are particularly fine.

Arts Minister John Glen said:

This exceptionally rare figurine is a fascinating representation of a distinctly British character.

I hope that a buyer comes forward to help keep this unique object in the UK so that current and future generations can continue to enjoy it.

The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), administered by The Arts Council.

RCEWA member Leslie Webster said:

This small bronze figurine gives an important new glimpse into the clothing of our Romano-British ancestors.

It has been suggested that he wears the distinctive birrus britannicus, or hooded British woollen cloak, which, with the quiver on his back, identifies the male figure as a hunter, suitably kitted out for cold and rainy weather.

Both the style and the braided decoration of the cloak is unparalleled in art, supporting the thesis that this is a unique depiction of a specifically British garment, recorded in the early 4th century AD as a significant export within the wider Roman Empire.

The RCEWA made its recommendation on the grounds of the figurine’s outstanding significance for the study of provincial Roman costume in the province of Britannia.

The decision on the export licence application for the figurine will be deferred until 23 September 2017. This may be extended until 23 November 2017 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of £550.

Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the figurine should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.

An image of the figurine can be downloaded via our flickr site.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Details of the figurine are as follows: A figurine of a man wearing a hooded cloak, made of copper alloy 65 mm high, 48mm wide and 17 mm thick, weight 65.8g. Maker unknown, probably Romano-British. Dated between 43-410 AD. In good but incomplete condition; the lower parts of the legs and arms are missing.
2. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by The Arts Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.
3. The Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. www.artscouncil.org.uk.

The donation to Dorothy’s Dream, a community school for underprivileged children in Chainda, Lusaka, is part of the many activities that Chevening Alumni, a body of scholars who where sponsored by the British Government to study in the UK, has planned to support communities and contribute to Zambia’s development.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Acting High Commissioner Andrew Hamilton said:

“I am delighted to see Zambians who have studied at top UK universities using not only their skills and knowledge acquired to contribute significantly to Zambia’s development but also supporting their local communities through volunteerism, a culture that is common both in the UK and Zambia.”

“The UK has a global reputation for excellence in the field of education and skills, rooted in our centuries-old yet forward-looking educational system. It’s a tradition of learning that we continue to share with the world, including Zambia. It is gratifying to see Zambian future leaders who spent time studying in UK contributing to such a worthwhile cause.”

Mr Hamilton said one of the Information Technology (IT) experts from among the Chevening Alumni has volunteered to train pupils and staff at the school so that they are empowered with IT skills that will enable them to use the computers effectively.

1. Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The programme makes awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study Postgraduate courses at universities in the UK.

2. Since 1985, over 150 Zambians have studied in the UK under the Chevening Scheme. In 2017, the UK government will be sending seventeen Zambian scholars under Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK in various fields at universities. Chevening and its predecessor schemes have been operating in Zambia since 1983. Over 150 Zambians have studied in the UK under the Chevening Scheme.

3. The four universities in the world’s top six are: Oxford, Cambridge, University College London and Imperial College London. Oxford has educated more world leaders than any other university, and Cambridge graduates have won 65 Nobel Prizes.

4. Chevening Scholarships are aimed at future leaders, influencers and decision-makers. The aim is for them to return to their country of origin after their studies.

5. Chevening Scholarships are currently offered in approximately 110 countries, in most regions of the world. In the current academic year, there are over 1500 Chevening scholars at universities across the UK. In Zambia, Chevening Scholarships are administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) on behalf of the FCO.

6. Application window for Chevening Scholarships for the academic year 2017/18 will open and must be submitted online between 7 August and 15 November 2017 on the Chevening website. Applicants should read the online guidance and be able to demonstrate how they meet the Chevening selection criteria before submitting an application.

7. For further information on Chevening Scholarships please visit our social media platforms. Facebook, Twitter and our website.

8. Numbering around 46,000 worldwide, Chevening Alumni are an influential and highly regarded group comprising people that have studied at some of the UK’s top universities under the prestigious Chevening scholarship scheme. The Chevening Alumni Zambia chapter is a registered association of former recipients of the Chevening scholarships formed to serve as a platform for networking amongst alumni and to use their professional skills to contribute to the development of Zambia.

For more information contact: