BROOCH

A cast copper alloy 1st century AD Colchester derivative brooch with a double lug spring mechanism. The brooch has wide wings which have moulded decoration on them. A double set of moulded collars can be seen on either wing. The wings have a concave and hollow reverse, which would once have housed the spring. The head of the bow loops over the top of the wings (cast integrally). The bow then extends down tapering slightly to the foot, but the bow is wide and D-shaped in section. Running from the head of the brooch to the lower part of the bow there is a large and very prominent double ridge. Some incised decoration appears to have been applied to the ridge and also to the edges of the bow. The decoration on the edges of the bow, consist of a series of diagonal markings which run down either edge of the bow. A loop has been positioned on the reverse of the head which would once have held the spring chord, the spring and the pin are now missing. The concave reverse of the wings seem to still have some traces of iron straining visible in patches, indicating that this brooch would have had an iron pin. The reverse of the brooch is undecorated. The foot proper and the catchplate have both broken off and the terminal of the bow (where this break would have occurred) is well worn. The surface of the metal is slightly pitted. The brooch is now a mid greenish-brown colour. This type of brooch dates from the 1st century AD. This brooch is similar to examples in Hattatt, 2000, p298, Fig. 157.