Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: SOM-A3FC46
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Roman cast copper alloy T-shaped brooch of standard form but unusually small size. The head is formed of two tubular, circular sectioned wings flanking a central slot. Within the hole through the wings is a copper alloy wire forming an axis bar on which the pin still freely hinges in the slot. One wing is broken at the end, the break is old and worn and exposes the axis bar. The pin is copper alloy with a flat D-shaped head, pierced to accept the wire. From one corner of the head extends the integral circular sectioned wire pin. The pin tapers in thickness from the head and is broken two thirds of the way along the length with the tip now missing. The unusually short bow extends at 90 degrees from the head and curves over in a semi-circle. It is D-shaped in section with a flat back and highly curved front and tapers in width from the head to the plain rounded point at the foot. The front of the bow is decorated with an indented line with a raised zigzag line within in running down the centre from the head to the foot. In profile the catchplate appears a continuation of the curve of the bow, thinning as it thins to a thin plate at the lower edge which is bent up to form the catch. This is a particularly small example of a brooch, measuring 27.5mm long, 16.7mm in wide including the wings and 8.7 excluding, 17.7mm thick and weighing 10.91g.
The form of the catchplate is unusual and it could be suggested this is a repaired brooch with the original foot cut down and a new catchplate hammered out, however the thickening for the cacthplate on the reverse is part of the original casting as is the curve and taper of the bow suggesting the form was original. Bayley and Butcher (2004; 159) describe initial T-shaped brooches as 'usually hinged, not enamelled but sometimes with fine relief decoration and lacking a headloop.' They suggest a Flavian association (AD 69-96). Other contemporary miniature brooches of different forms include SUSS-B45115.
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Class: T-shaped
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 60
Date to: Circa AD 100
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.5 mm
Width: 16.7 mm
Thickness: 17.7 mm
Weight: 10.91 g
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 7th November 2011
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Other reference: SCC receipt 020878
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bayley, J. and Butcher, S. | 2004 | Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study Based on the Richborough Collection | London | The Society of Antiquaries | 159 |