BROOCH

An unusual variant of a cast copper alloy bow and fantail brooch, dating to the Early Roman period (1st to 2nd Centuries AD (1 AD - 200 AD)).

Approximately 50% of the brooch is present, consisting of the head, bow and foot plate. The pin is missing.

The head consists of a trumpet variation. It is 14.63 mm wide, and 7.70 mm thick. The remains of a hinge attachment for the pin is present on the back of the brooch, with the axis bar, in copper alloy, remaining insitu. The front part of the head is plain and undecorated. Damage at the edge of the head means that it is hard to determine how far any wings, if present, extended away from the head. No signs of a head loop are present.

Just below the head, at the narrowest point, there is a break in the patina, suggestive of the bow being twisted away from the original plane.The bow is D shaped in cross section. The bow narrows at the transtition point with the head, then increases in width approximately at the mid point, then narrows, before widening into the foot or fantail section. The central swelling exhibits four small sections of surviving enamel decoration.The exact decorative design can not be determined, due to the level of preservation. The top of the bow measures 3.82mm in width, the swelling measures 6.97mm and just above the foot, it measures 4.35mm.

Between the bow and the fantail foot design is the remains of an incised transverse line. Partial remains of two other transverse lines (one above and one below) are noticeable.

The fantail foot design is unusual by the base been rounded and not triangular. The enamelled area consists of a double trumpet headed design, pointing downwards and a central lozenge design above. No enamel remains within the design. The foot measures 11.66mm in width.

The back of the brooch is plain, with the ridge for the catch plate present along the length of the foot section. The catch plate extends 3.44mm away from the back of the brooch.

The brooch measures 44.77mm in length, max width 14.63mm at the head, 3.44mm thick. It weighs 6.8 grams.

The edges of the brooch are rounded, suggestive of a moderate degree of abrasion, the bow has been twisted slightly. The surface of the brooch is covered by a light green patina, but the decorative details of the brooch have been worn away.

Similar bow and fantail brooches have been recorded before but this style seems slightly unusual, and not frequently encountered. No. 817 in Hattatt (2000, p.315) is similar in style but without the central swelling on the bow and the enamelled decoration is a different style. No. 238 (Bayley & Butcher, 2004, p.100) is closer, with a similar enamel decoration on the foot plate, however it has wings, and a plain bow. PAS records YORYM-8B1157 and YORYM-AEB564 are again similar in style to this brooch.

References:
Bayley, J. and Butcher, S. 2004. Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study based on the Richborough Collection. Society of Antiquaries of London, London.
Hattatt, 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books