BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper-alloy Colchester derivative, double pierced lug, Harlow type brooch dating to the Roman period (c. AD 50-80). The brooch comprises the wings, half of the spring, the central lug, the upper bow and the lower bow. The other half of the spring, pin and catch plate are missing.

The wings, one of which is damaged along the upper-edge, are semi-cylindrical in shape and divided by a central lug with two circular perforations. One half of the wings is occupied by a spring made of D-sectioned copper-alloy wire consisting of four coils, from the latter of which extends part of the external chord that loops upwards and along to just penetrate the upper perforation of the central lug where it is broken. A rectangular-sectioned axis bar extends through the centre of the coiled spring into and partially beyond the lower perforation of the lug where it is also broken.

The bow projects shallowly from the upper edge of the wings and narrows slightly to the foot. The bow is D-shaped in cross-section and is decorated with a raised central rib that is rectangular as it crests over the top of the wings before becoming triangular in cross-section as it shallows and narrows down the length of the bow.

The reverse of the wings and the flat underside of the bow are both undecorated.

The entire object has mottled light to mid-green patination and is generally very worn with severl areas of pitting and gouging across all of its surfaces.

The brooch measures 26mm long. The wings are 20mm wide and 3mm diameter. The bow is 5mm wide and 3mm thick. The brooch weighs 2.42 grams.