Find Spot record MDO7493 - Roman shale table leg, Norden Farm, Corfe Castle

Part of a Roman table leg carved from shale was found in 1938 near clay workings at Norden Farm. The upper half of a fine shale table leg carved with the lion-like animal head with the addition of curved horns branching from a single stem.

A Roman shale table-leg, carved in the shape of an animal-head, was discovered in 1938 in the course of working open-cast for clay in Four Acres Field, Norden Clay works, Corfe Castle. (Norden Clay Works sited at SY 959827). <1> The upper half of a fine shale table leg (1939.54.1) carved with the lion like animal head with the addition of curved horns branching from a single stem. This is described by Miss J Liversidge in Antiquaries Journal, xxxi (1951) pp193-4. This is thought to be a native imitation in shale of a well-known classical type of domestic three-legged table. This leg was found in 1938 in new open cast clay workings at the base of West Hill, in the south-west corner of Four Acres Field, and from a depth of 12 feet ‘beneath undisturbed clay in the top of the “coal” (black, unsuitable clay with bands of lignite’. This location has been questioned and is not confirmed. <2> The site where the table-leg was found was pointed out by Mr. F Tubbs and was surveyed at SY 95018260. It was said to have been found at a depth of 20ft in the clay. Now in Dorchester museum. <3> SY 95068257. Romano-British shale table-leg from a clay pit near Hill Coppices. <4>

Record last edited

Mar 16 2023 7:29PM