BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Trumpet style brooch, of Roman (AD 75 to AD 175) dating.

Approximately 50% of the brooch is present, with the head, bow, partial catchplate and spring present. The rest of the brooch is missing, presumed lost in antiquity.

The head of the brooch has an incomplete head loop plate. with rectangular moulding around the start of the bow. The bow starts with a trumpet style head and then tapers down into the body, with a D shaped cross section. The revesre of the head has two integrally cast rectangular lugs. Between these are the remnants of the axis bar and spring. The pin is missing. Halfway down the length of the bow, is a decorative moulding, with three horizontal ribs. Beneath the moulding, the lower part of the bow extends and tapers to an incomplete blunt point. An incomplete catch plate is present behind the foot, as a rectangular plate with recurved edge (to retain the pin).

The brooch measures 44.7 mm in length, 13.5 mm wide and 17.6 mm thick. It weighs 8.6 g.

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

Trumpet style brooches typically date from AD 75 to AD 175. Hattatt (2000, p326, fig 185) published several similar examples, in particular #1529 from Castleford, West Yorkshire and #948 from Wall, Staffordshire.

Reference:
Hattatt, R. 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books. Oxford.