BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper alloy Trumpet style brooch, of Roman (75 to 175 AD) dating.

Approximately 90% of the brooch is present, with the pin being present, but incomplete.

The head of the brooch is oval in plan, and tapers into the bow. The reverse of the head is flat, with a integrally cast rectangular lug. The spring is present coiled through the lug on the back of the bow, with an internal chord. There is no evidence of a head loop or plate. The bow of the brooch is D shaped in cross section. The head of the brooch tapers into the body. Halfway down the length of the bow, is an arcanthus type moulding. Beneath the moulding, the lower part of the bow extends and tapers slightly. The front of the bow is faceted into two sides with a central ridge. The bow terminates in a foot knop, which is incomplete, but has a sub circular collar above it.

The catch plate starts beneath the moulding on the back of the brooch and is sub triangular in shape. It is incomplete, missing the external edge, which formed the pin rest.The pin is incomplete and no longer attached to the rest of the brooch. The shank of the pin is circular in cross section.

The brooch is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of the original surface in place and removal of some of the decorative detail.

The brooch measures 45.29mm in length, 11.08mm wide and 19.87mm thick. It weighs 8.4 grams. The pin measures 24.09mm in length, 2.00mm in diameter and weighs 0.4 grams. Together the brooch and the pin weigh 8.8 grams.

Trumpet style brooches typically date from 75 to 175 AD. Hattatt (2000, p326, fig 185) published several similar examples, in particular #1529 from Castleford, West Yorkshire and #948 from Wall, Staffordshire.

Reference:
Hattatt, R. 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books. Oxford.