BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Roman Trumpet brooch, of Roman dating (75 AD 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 four raised ridges, with the central one being most prominent. Otherwise the bow is plain and undecorated. The reverse of the head has the the remains of the axis bar, used to hold the hinged pin in place. An iron axis bar is still present within the semi circular casing.

It measures 24.19 mm in length, 13.49 mm wide and 7.86 mm thick. It weighs 3.1 grams.

The brooch is a mid grey green colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

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.