BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper alloy Roman Trumpet brooch, dating from 75 to 175 AD.

Approximately 25% of the brooch is present, consisting of the top of the bow. The head loop, the foot, catch plate, spring and pin are all missing.

The top of the brooch consists of an angular bow descending from a plate below a head loop (now missing). The head of the brooch is complete, semi circular in plan, and tapers into the bow. The bow is D-shaped in cross section. At the shoulder (midway) point of the bow, there are three raised ridges, with the central one being most prominent. Otherwise the bow is plain and undecorated. The reverse of the head has the remnants of a cast projecting bar which divides the head into two parts. This bar would have originally been part of a plate for the spring to attach to.

The brooch is a mid grey green colour, with an even surface patina.

It measures 26.83mm in length, 14.55mm wide and 4.6mm thick. It weighs 4.3 grams.

Hattatt published a similar but more complete brooch, from Wall, Staffordshire (2000, p328, fig 187, #952) in his visual catalogue of Ancient Brooches, and dated that example to 1st to 2nd Centuries AD.

Reference:
Hattatt, R. (2000) A Visual Catalogue of Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books. Oxford.