BROOCH

An incomplete and abraded cast copper alloy plate of later Roman date (100-300 AD). The brooch is an oval shape in plan. The lower edges of the brooch have been abraded resulting in some loss of metal. The front face is relatively flat in profile with a recessed / sunken central setting. The rear of the brooch is also flat with the abraded remains of an iron hinged pin fitting and catchplate aligned vertically. The front face of the brooch is decorated with a series of cast motifs. These are arranged around a central oval shaped dished area, which presumably would have contained either a cameo or intaglio setting. There are no remnants of this setting present and the outer edge of the border has a vertical chamfered edge, possibly suggesting a setting. The setting is 1.4mm deep with a relatively flat bottom. Beyond this setting are two cast concentric oval bands, the inner of these is relatively wide whilst the outer forms a external raised edge to the brooch. Set between these cast elements is a single recessed hoop which is filled with a continuous enamelled band of alternating red and dark blue areas - these (especially the blue glass) are heavily decayed to a powdery light green colour. The shape and size of the alternating enamels varies but is broadly symmetrical. The shape of each colour enamel panel is wedged. This enamel surface is set / laid without using cells which means that they merge together forming a continuous band of enamel without clearly defined walls. This style of enamel work is known as champlevé. Similar forms of enamelling have been noted in Wirral type brooches. The metal on the upper surface is a dull grey colour - possibly suggesting a decayed tin or silvered surface. On the reverse face the brooch shows signs of active corrosion having been abraded in the ploughsoil. The hinge and catch plate are both abraded. An abraded stub is present for the catch-plate which is set vertically to the spring. The spring area has localised iron staining possibly suggesting that the pin and spring were iron. The spring was attached to a single D shaped pierced projection. From what can be seen of the corroded spring it was formed from 4 turns and an internal chord. The brooch is a mid-light grey green colour with an even but abraded patina which covers all surfaces. The brooch measures 25.8mm length, 21.7mm width is 8.1mm thick across the plate and hinge and 2.6mm thick across plate; it weighs 5.9 grams. The brooch has been distorted by movement in the plough soil and this is most evident on the external faces.

Similar brooches have been recorded by the PAS specifically from Hereford, Herefordshire (HESH-BEE836), Isle of Wight (IOW-030E97) and Clare, Suffolk (ESS-1A3153). A similar brooch is published in Hattatt, R. 1985. "Iron Age and Roman Brooches". 180, fig. 73 no. 636. Oxford: Oxbow Books. The central field of this brooch, however, is filled with glass. These brooches are thought to be a British type since few are known from the continent (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 178). This type of brooch is widely scattered across Britain, with predominance in the south. They date to the 2nd century but may have continued into the 3rd (100-300 AD).