BROOCH

Roman copper alloy bow brooch of Trumpet type dating to the 1^st or 2^nd century AD

The brooch is incomplete, missing the spring and foot (with a surviving length of 42.4mm and a weight of 12.1g). The rear of the head is concave to accommodate the missing spring which was secured around a singly pierced lug (9.7mm long, perforation diameter 2.2mm). There is a small knop at the top of the apex, possibly the remnants of an integral pin to help position the swivel chain loop and prevent the chain loop from falling out of line. The head is circular, almost disc like (with a length of 13.5mm and a width of 15.4mm) and with an unusual flanged border. The upper bow is of lozenge section with no decoration surviving. The button is of circular form (with a length of 11.2mm and a width of 10.4mm and a depth of 6.6mm) and is comparatively large, with perhaps a crude attempt at an acanthus form, represented by two raised knops on the top and underside. Above and below the button are single ribs. The leg is of oval section and the foot is missing. The catch plate (with a length of 15.6mm) begins as a rib at the top of the leg at the rear and arcs to the catch. The surface is worn and corroded with a dark green patina.

The brooch is hard to closely parallel but conforms to the character of the type. The flanged border around the head may be seen as an unusual feature on Trumpet brooches.