BROOCH

A medieval gilt copper alloy zoomorphic annular brooch dating to the 13th century. This figurative brooch depicts two big cats (either lions or leopards) in high relief with their heads raised and facing outwards (rampant guardant). There are two holes at the point where the forelegs from the beasts join. Their bodies are decorated in punched annulets, suggesting they are more likely leopards than lions. The left animal's waist is stepped to form a constriction for the pin. At the same point on the opposite animal is a notch for the pin rest. The animals' tails curve to form two loops, with a knop in the middle of each tail mirroring the heads. The pattern on the bodies continues on the section connecting the feet of the animals. The pin is still present. There are traces of gilding across all the surfaces of the brooch; the visible copper alloy has a pale green patina.

This artefact belongs to a series of 13th century brooches depicting pairs of figures or more commonly animals in high relief, arranged to from a ring. An example depicting two interlocking dragons, found in Bennington Herts, is thought to date to the mid-13th century (Alexander & Binski, 1987, 483).Further examples have also been recorded under the 1996 Treasure Act. An example from Cliffe, Kent, is silver-gilt and depicts two lions holding two human facemasks, this example is dated to the 13th century (DCMS, 2008, 105, 344). Another example depicting two lions was found at South Ormsby Kum Ketsby, Lincolnshire 2003 T12 and is also dated to the 13th century (DCMS, 2006, 95, 222). Furthermore, a similar example can be found on the PAS database - GLO-6E1917 - though none match the exact design.

Dimensions: length: 19.20 mm; width: 13.46 mm; thickness: 4.33 mm; weight: 2.13g.

References: Alexander J & Binski P (eds),1987. Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

DCMS, 2006.Treasure Annual Report 2003. Department of Culture, Media and Sport: Cultural Property Unit

DCMS, 2008.Treasure Annual Report 2005/6. Department of Culture, Media and Sport: Cultural Property Unit