BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper alloy silvered lozenge-shaped plate brooch, dating to the 2nd/ 3rd century AD (length: 53mm; width: 29mm; thickness at catch plate: 14mm; weight: 16.99g).

On each of the four corners of this brooch, there are solid rounded lugs (average diameter: 5mm). The lug at the top of the brooch, however, is slightly larger than the other three (diameter: 6.5mm) and has an additional flat but circular suspension loop (probably) extending out from the top (inner diameter of suspension hole: 2mm). Around the four edges of the front face of the brooch, there is a raised and ribbed border with small and numerous incised markings across the border's width and at a slanted angle. Additionally, there are areas of silvering still visible around this feature. It should also be noted that the main outline of the border and the lugs which extend out from this border are slightly off centre and not perfectly parallel, particularly down the length of the brooch. The inner recessed lozenge centre of the front face (length: 35mm; width: 18mm) is a hollow cavity where there may have originally been enamelled decoration, of which there may be a little red enamel remains in the bottom half of the recess. In the centre of this cavity, there is a small corroded protrusion, possibly made of iron, which could be the remains of a more expansive design. The central feature is also mirrored by a lump of corrosion on the back of the brooch.

At the back of the lozenge brooch, there is a large amount of silvering remains on the main face as well as partly on the lugs. At the top of the brooch (below the suspension loop and lug), there is an incomplete but large hinge mechanism, which would have probably held an iron axis bar and pin, due to the amount of iron corrosion in the slot of the hinge. None of the pin survives. There is a large protruding and complete catch plate (length: 15mm; width: 9mm; thickness at curve: 4mm) that curves over to one side to hold the missing pin in place. There are remains of silvering on both of the catch plate. Overall, the artefact is in a slightly worn but fair condition with a dark green patina.

Similar examples of lugged lozenge plate brooches are illustrated in Richard Hattatt's 'Brooches of Antiquity', 1987, pages 197-201, fig 63, particularly ref nos 1089, found near Winchester, Hampshire, and ref no 1096, found in France, near Aubagne, Provence. Additionally, other similar examples are also illustrated in Hattatt's 'Iron Age & Roman Brooches', 1985, pages 156-161, figs 65 & 66.

Hattatt states that in Britain, lozenge shaped brooches are almost confined to the south of a line from the Severn estuary to Norfolk, which may suggest a degree of importation.