BROOCH

An apparently complete (although possibly missing a tail) Roman copper alloy and enamel zoomorphic plate brooch in the form of a boar, of continental form and dating from the 2nd century AD. It measures 33.37x26.25x10.26mm and weighs 7.45g.

The body is rectangular in section (3.51mm thick) and filled with three enamel-filled dots (the outer two blue, the central one red). The underneath of the belly is at an angle, while the top of the back has a slight curve which extends into the rump, D-shaped in cross-section and 4.45mm thick. This is decorated with five enamel-filled dots, four red in square formation around a central blue one. Hattatt comments this type of enamelling (round hollows filled with enamel) is typical of French enamelling (Cf. Hattatt 1194 and 1196 for similarly-decorated brooches of different zoomorphic form).

The curving crescentic head is flanked by two ridges of mane at the neck. These are decorated with transverse grooves. The head itself has a ring-and-dot eye with a raised ridge to one side )presumably representing a tusk) and open mouth beyond with snout turned upwards, and behind the eye to the side a moulded and raised triangle for an ear. From this point, and running to the bottom of the mane, is a crest of six joined rectangles, divided by transverse grooves, with triangular ends - three are rather worn and missing these.

From the front of the body and the underside of the rump extends the limbs. The former is long and at a slight angle, curving downwards towards the trotter. The latter is short and vertical to a projecting joint, where it extends downwards at an angle to the trotter. Both trotters are resting on a horizontal bar 22.32mm in length, 1.58mm wide and 1.80mm thick, decorated to the front only with transverse grooves.

To the reverse there is a double pin lug behind the rump with the pin corroded in place and now thin and delicate. The catchplate is at the back and bottom of the head with a worn curl. Two grooves, at the top and right hand side of the catchplate, are presumably to help align it.

The patina is smooth and dark green in colour. All the enamel survives apart from most of the blue cell behind the mane. According to D.F. (2011) zoomorphic brooches like these are continetinal and are not that frequent in Britain. The find being discussed falls under D.F. Mackreth (2011) Atelier A type.

Reference: Hattatt, R, 1987; Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, p.243. Further examples can also be found in D.F. Mackreth (2011), "Brooches in Late Iron Age and Roman Britain". Volume II Plate 27, Nos. 14440, 8123 and 8133.