New display at Harborough Museum in July

With Harborough Museum now back open again, visitors will soon be able to see a unique, Roman era copper-alloy figurine on display.

Dating to AD50-AD150, he has been nicknamed ‘Eric’ by collections staff – as his pose (see photo) is very similar to that made famous by Morecambe and Wise in the classic dance to their signature tune, Bring Me Sunshine!

Museum curator Tim Savage, says it’s fantastic this rare find has been donated to them by Rob Mouland – the metal detectorist who unearthed it in a field at Carlton Curlieu. Rob then contacted the Finds Liaison Officer for Leicestershire & Rutland, Megan Gard who identified the figure as Roman and listed it on the PAS database.

Rob explains: “I wanted to make sure that lots of people would get the chance to see and enjoy him – I didn’t just want to have him sitting in a cupboard at home, so I decided to donate him to Leicestershire Museums. It’s nice that he will be put on display at Harborough Museum as that is near to where he was found and lots of people will be able to go and see him – including the farmer whose land I found him on.”

Now known more officially as “The Harborough Man”, Eric will be unveiled at Harborough Museum alongside other recent acquisitions from the district at the start of July – to coincide with the Festival of Leicestershire and Rutland Archaeology.