Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
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Unique ID: LVPL-117062
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete cast copper alloy Aucissa type bow brooch, of 1st Century AD dating (AD 43 - AD 75).
The bow brooch consists of a two part hinged bow, each part (the bow and the pin) having been cast separately and fastened together.
The bow is flat, and has a rectangular cross section. The head of the bow has been bent backwards to form a space to hold the axis bar for the hinge. A slot has been cut in the top of the head to allow the hinged pin to be positioned. The head is square in shape, with a row of three punched annulets (circles) as decoration along the base of the square. From the head, the bow then narrows into a plain straight rectangular. More decoration is present towards the foot of the brooch, where the bow narrows into the catch plate. The decoration consists of two incised diagonal lines pointing inwards, above two punched annulets. Small incised triangles have been removed from both above and below the annulets. This decoration gives it a simple zoomorphic / animal head impression. At the foot of the brooch, a small knop is present.
The catch plate is intact, and is folded over to retain the pin. The pin consists of a square head for pivoting, and then extends down the length of the brooch, with a D shaped cross section.
The brooch is a mid to dark green colour, with an even surface patina.
It measures 56.34mm in length, 11.54mm wide (maximum), 24.38mm thick. The bow is 1.92mm thick. It weighs 9.3 grams.
Aucissa type brooches typically date to the Early Roman Period, (1st Century AD) and this example is comparative with the features associated with that type. Several similar examples have been published by Hattatt (2000), p318-319, figures 177 & 178, including #306 with a rear folded head to hold the axis pin. A similar Aucissa type brooch exhibiting similar zoomorphic style decoration at the foot was recorded on the PAS database from North Yorkshire, under Find ID: SWYOR-E18FA2. According to the typology published by Hull (Bailey & Butcher, 2004, 231), it fits into the classification of Group 1: La Tene III and Roman Brooches with no Hook and no arms, type 15: a hinged brooch with a flat tapered bow, which is turned down at the head to hold the axis pin.
Reference:
Bailey, J. and Butcher, S. 2004. Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study based on the Richborough Collection. Society of Antiquaries. London.
Hattatt, R. 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books. Oxford.
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class: Aucissa
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 75
Quantity: 1
Length: 56.34 mm
Width: 11.54 mm
Thickness: 24.38 mm
Weight: 9.3 g
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Zoomorphic
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SJ6871
Four figure Latitude: 53.235061
Four figure longitude: -2.48088
1:25K map: SJ6871
1:10K map: SJ67SE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.