Roman Eagle standard, but what is this?

[gpruitt]

Hello!  I need to consult the hive mind.  I am in the midst of painting a unit of Republican Roman Cavalry from Aventine - which I totally love!  However, this one standard bearer in the command pack has what appears to be an eagle standard.  But what is the eagle sitting on?  Seriously.  Try to keep it clean...  I need to know how to paint this! 

[Tactalvanic]

Lucanica ?

Didn't they supposedly use bundled straw on the pole end ?

Before they could afford eagles 

hence later versions being eagles effectively carrying a thunderbolt perched on a bundle of straw/baguette like object?

but this one looks more like a spiced sausage.

so my vote is Lucanica?

Have you asked Aventine Miniatures yet?

[gpruitt]

Yes it certainly does look like a sausage.

I haven't asked Aventine yet.  They seem a bit busy.  Their store is temporarily closed while they try to dig out from under the crush of orders.

[AdamPHayes]

Looks like it landed on its perch too fast....

[Rochejaquelein]

Lucanica ?

Didn't they supposedly use bundled straw on the pole end ?

Before they could afford eagles 

AFAIK, the bundle of straw standards were used by Hastati and Principes, not cavalry.

[Cat]

Certainly looks more like a sausage than the usual sideways canolis.

[Tactalvanic]

AFAIK, the bundle of straw standards were used by Hastati and Principes, not cavalry.

Ty. that saves me wondering.

I stick with sausage.

Paint it like a salami.

Until Aventine say otherwise..

[Jjonas]

Since it is mounted I doubt it is a legion standard, and cavalry are assumed to use vexillum standards. My guess since it is mounted on a fasces pole it some sort of personal senatorial familia standard- and yes that could be a phallus underneath.

[Jjonas]

Or it could be a dolphin.

Guiseppe Rava art.

[Daeothar]

Yep; that's Big Bird alright... 

[cadbren]

At least they attempted to portray an eagle riding a dolphin. Imagine what it would look like if they showed a man riding a dolphin.

I think such standards were silver or tinned. Seems like silver or gold for both animals is your best bet, could even do one silver and one gold for contrast. Looks like the dolphin, which makes the most sense, is lacking a tail.

[gpruitt]

What great replies, thank you all.
I think I will attempt to use some greenstuff and put a tail on the "dolphin".  Sounds like a good plan.
I'll post some pictures as I do this, but don't hold your breath I am going very slow with hobby time right now.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

I suppose anything’s possible…

[Ethelred the Almost Ready]

A forerunner of Dr Strangelove?

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Good point. I hadn’t considered that the alligator might not be lunch but a weapon. Perhaps we’ll be getting 3D sculpts of the above in the near future.