Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WAW-4445F6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Early Medieval (late 5th to 6th centuries) saucer brooch: The copper alloy brooch was originally circular in plan, but only c. 40% remains, and the break across the brooch is old as the patina covers the break. In profile the brooch is flat and on the reverse there is an incomplete perforated lug. The outer face of the brooch is decorated with high-relief Style I animal motifs that are degenerate and are described as 'M' shaped heads, rectilinear multiple bar blocks. These motifs surround a central ring and dot motif. The surface of the brooch has a well developed mid green/grey patina with traces of gilding. The brooch measures 49.65mm diameter, 6.73mm thick at the perforated lug and weighs 15.3g.
The brooch is a saucer type brooch. In England these type of brooches tend to be found in burials and date to between the late 5th and 6th centuries. These type of brooches, which are found in female graves, are considered to have played a role in symbolising status, and the design of the brooch may represent an allegiance to a common tradition (Dickinson; 39).
Dickinson, T. 1993 'Early Saxon Saucer Brooches: A Preliminary Overview' Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History 6 p. 11-44
Class: Saucer
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 475
Date to: Circa AD 600
Quantity: 1
Length: 49.65 mm
Width: 30.73 mm
Thickness: 6.73 mm
Weight: 15.3 g
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 29th November 2012 - Thursday 27th February 2014
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
4 Figure: SO9354
Four figure Latitude: 52.18420224
Four figure longitude: -2.10380082
1:25K map: SO9354
1:10K map: SO95SW
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.