BROOCH

Copper alloy brooch, probably a Birdlip related type? Missing spring, pin, damaged catchplate; otherwise in good condition. The upper bow is circular in section and expands into a small "trumpet" head the back of which is slightly concave and has a 1.7mm wire projecting from the middle which would have formed the spring and pin. There is an incised line around the edge of the trumpet, and on it two lightly incised hatched triangles. At the mid bow there is an oval double flange projecting forwards. Below this a thinner circular section bow runs into the catchplate, above which there is a flat tapering plate, rounded and upturned at the top and square ended at the foot with a slight cross rib. On the front there is a lightly incised marginal line and a pelta shape at the top filled with alternating hatched areas. The catchplate has a cut out ?triangular shape. Length 43mm, width 8mm. This is an unusual type, related to the late Iron Age Aylesford and Birdlip types, particularly the latter but without the characteristic "beak". (c.f. Hattatt fig 154).