BROOCH

A cast copper Roman brooch of Colchester derivative, Polden Hill (Mackreth Group 4, flat wing ends type), Mackreth 2011, 4.j. Plate 48. The wings are semi-cylindrical with wing caps. The caps each have a small central hole which holds the copper alloy axis bar in place. Around the axis bar the copper alloy spring is wound. There appears to be 5 coils, but others are not remaining. The pin is missing. There is a down-turned hook in the centre of the upper edge of the wings. This hook would have held the chord bar in place. The bow head is hump-like in profile and on each side of the head there are is a semi-circular mouldings which is a characteristic feature of this brooch type. The bow head is decorated with three vertical ridges which travel down the bow as well. Either side of the ridges there is a column of high-relief ridges, which are similar to leaves. The bow terminates with a bulbous foot. On the reverse of the bow, there is a solid catchplate. The surface of the brooch has a mottled light/mid green patina. The brooch is in a fair condition. It measures 20.22mm across the wings and 48.36mm long. It weighs 15.2g. The brooch is a Polden Hill type, which probably dates to c. 80 to 120 AD (Bayley and Butcher, 2004 Roman Brooches in Britain: A technological and Typological Study Based on the Richborough Collection Society of Antiquaries p. 160). Bayley and Butcher go on to comment that the distribution of Polden Hill brooches is concentrated in the West Midlands. Society of Antiquaries p. 160) comment that the distribution of Polden Hill brooches are concentrated in the West Midlands.