BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper-alloy object, possibly the bow from a Roman Aesica brooch. The surviving fragment is sub-rectangular in form, curved in profile and with a curving V-shaped section. At one end (top?) it terminates in old breaks and at the other turns inwards at an angle of 90 degrees where the fragment narrows to an incomplete rectangular shaft. The front face of the object has moulded decoration comprising a central vertical flute that is pointed-oval shaped in form and flanked by narrow grooves. The sides curve upwards and outwards from the flute to give the object its V-shaped section, and have sightly concave edges with a flattened moulded ridge where the fragment turns inwards at the base. The back face is undecorated but has a slight central ridge or rib. The entire object has a worn and corroded dark green patina and measures 14.41mm in length, 17.04mm in width, 5.05mm in thickness and 2.86g in weight.

This is possibly a fragment from the bow of a Roman Aesica or derivative brooch. If positioned with the old break at the top, the inward curve and projecting lug at the base would have enabled attachment of the bow through a separately cast lower bow/foot. It finds parallels in similar brooches of composite form noted by Hattatt (e.g. Hattatt, 1989: nos. 289, 295 1479, 1481) and if indeed part of such a brooch would date to the 1st century AD.