Once thought to be almost non-existent in Britain, figurines of Vulcan, the god of fire, are now more common, partly due to recent metal detector finds and partly to the reinterpretation of several older figures. Vulcan is usually shown as a mature, bearded male, often wearing a pileus and short tunic which covers his left shoulder but leaves his right bare (e.g. 1), although Figure 829 from North Bradley, Wiltshire, shows him with his left shoulder uncovered. Head 518 from Cirencester and Figure 194 from Carley Hill Quarry, Northumberland, were both originally published as Jupiter Dolichenus, but are now thought to be Vulcan. A single example of a seated, nude Vulcan comes from Richborough (1185).
Unfortunately, none of the figurines still hold their attributes, which is no doubt one reason why most were not originally identified as Vulcan. Where present the hands are both curled to hold objects, probably a hammer and tongs.
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