Rights Holder: Surrey County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: SUR-62D554
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy brooch of probable medieval date, in the form of a bird with its wings outstretched. The upper surface has incised line detailing to represent the feathers. The head is moulded in three dimensions and projects out and slightly to the left. On the reverse of each wing are stumps of fittings, probably a loop hinge and a hooked catchplate for a pin set at right angles to the body.
Brooches in the form of birds are well known in the Roman period; some have wings outstretched and transverse pin arrangements (e.g. SF-E2CA31) although this form is not typical for the period. In the early medieval period bird brooches, often Frankish, usually present a flat aspect with wings outstretched and with the head turned to one side. Similar poses and decorative treatment are seen on medieval zoomorphic mounts (NMS-0BFF4D) and harness pendants (SWYOR-3AA8D0) which provide good stylistic dating comparisons. See also SUR-47496A for a similar object.
Notes:
Recorded from details emailed by the finder.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Quantity: 1
Length: 31 mm
Width: 25 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 6.2 g
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 30th July 2022
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Other reference: MWS
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
4 Figure: SU6539
Four figure Latitude: 51.14658133
Four figure longitude: -1.07213988
1:25K map: SU6539
1:10K map: SU63NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.