BROOCH

Roman copper-alloy brooch of Colchester derivative, Polden Hill type (Mackreth 2011, Part 3, Group 4a-b, flat wing ends type, West Midlands), dating to the late first to second century. The brooch is cast and almost complete, but missing the lower part of the foot and most of the pin. The sprung pin mechanism remains and the spring has nine coils. The spring is set within a semi-cylindrical crossbar which has pierced plates at each end of the wings, typical in brooches of this type. This example does not have an attachment hook at the top of the head, although there is a slight sub-rectangular recess here which suggests there may have been some attachment. The brooch measures 22.3 mm wide across its head. The wings have the characteristic mouldings seen on Polden Hill brooches which rise against each side of the head of the bow. Aside from this there appears to be no other decoration, apart from a slight recess at the end of the wings before the pierced plates. A cast ridge runs right up the reverse of the bow to the head, and this ridge expands to form the catchplate. The brooch measures 39.82 mm in length and the bow swells from 3.6mm at the lower end to 8.8 mm in width (excluding the wings). It weighs 16.5 grams. The brooch has a dark green patina, suffering some corrosion. The spring also suffers from bronze disease and is a bright green colour in some places. This type of brooch has its origin in the West Midlands and there appear to be a concentration in this area (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 160).