Rights Holder: Julie Shoemark
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BROOCH
Unique ID: DOR-E8CD92
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
An incomplete copper alloy enamelled Roman zoomorphic brooch depicting a fly, dating to the period c. AD 75 - 200. The brooch consists of a triangular plate with rounded corners and a thickened knop at the apex. The knop is in the form of a zoomorphic head with moulded eyes and a snout. The plate is decorated by curving metal reserves forming two semi-circular recesses flanking a lenticular recess at the apex. Each recess is filled with red enamel at the points and a colourless enamel above. The base of the plate curves inwards at each side and has a short projection between which terminates in an old break, creating the thorax of the insect shape.
The reverse of the plate exhibits the remains of the catchplate on the reverse of the head. The pin attachment and the pin are missing.
The brooch measures 21.95mm in length, 18.43mm maximum width, is 5.75mm thick and weighs 1.86g.
Cf. Hattatt, R, 2000, p. 363, no. 1204 & 1638.
Class: Zoomorphic (fly)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 75
Date to: Circa AD 200
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 21.95 mm
Width: 18.43 mm
Thickness: 5.75 mm
Weight: 1.86 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: GSM4
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: East Dorset (District)
To be known as: Gussage St Michael
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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