Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: KENT2344
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
This cast copper alloy brooch is an Anglo-Saxon small long brooch of Leeds (1945) square headed (plain) class. The square headplate is heavily corroded but the decoration can just be seen. There is a large ring-and-dot motif in the centre of the headplate, bordered by 3 to 6 smaller ring-and-dot punhcmarks to the left and right of the central design. The exact amount of smaller punchmarks on the headplate is unclear due to the amount of corrosion and the poor quality photograph used for identification. The worn edge of the headplate may also suggest that it is incomplete, thus further decoration may have originally been present. The headplate is attached to a short, undecorated bow. The lozenge-form footplate is heavily worn, with damaged edges and a worn break at the terminal. The decoration on the footplate is similar to the headplate, with a large ring-and dot motif in the centre.
Three smaller ring-and-dot punches can be seen to the right of this central design, running along the length of the footplate. The lower punchmark is incomplete due to a worn break on the edge of the footplate. To the left of the central design one complete and one partial ring-and-dot punchmark can be seen parallel to those on the right. The worn and broken edge has most likely removed a third punchmark from this side. The reverse of the brooch is unknown as it has been identified from a front facing photograph. The hinge and catchplates are usually intergrally cast with the brooch, and are situated behing the headplate and footplate respectively. Small long brooches usually have a sprung iron pin, however it is unknown if traces of this survive. The colouration and patina of the brooch is also unknown. This brooch is approximately 30mm long and 15mm wide. Small long brooches date from the early Anglo-Saxon period, circa 475AD through to circa 525AD.
Class:
Small Long
Sub class: Leeds Square Headed (plain)
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Saxon style
Date from: Circa AD 475
Date to: Circa AD 525
Quantity: 1
Length: 30 mm
Width: 15 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st January 2000
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Geometric
4 Figure: TR2057
Four figure Latitude: 51.269667
Four figure longitude: 1.152444
1:25K map: TR2057
1:10K map: TR25NW
Grid reference source: Centred on village (which isn't a parish)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leeds, E.T. | 1945 | The distribution of the Angles and Saxons archaeologically considered | Oxford | Society of Antiquaries of London | 1-106 fig 25b | Similar example from Bifrons |