Rights Holder: Gwynedd Archaeological Trust
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: GAT-BB042D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy brooch with enamel inlay. The wings are located right at the end of the head and are circular in section with rearward facing lugs. The edges of the lugs are decorated with a single recessed line and in the centre of the end of one wing there is a slight raised knop visible (perhaps destroyed by corrosion on the other). The wings flare as they meet the head forming a shoulder, the edge of which is decorated with a ring of short recessed lines. Two recessed lines also run along the bottoms of the wings apparently marking where the edges of the semi-circular wings on a 'spring' example would have been. The top, sides, and end of the head are flat, the underside is concave. The end is wider on top and narrows towards the wings. There is an integral cast ring projecting from the centre of the end and at right angles to the wings, possibly for a chain. The end is decorated with two fine recessed lines one down each side. The top of the head is decorated with two parallel linear recessed grooves running along the axis of the brooch. Within these grooves are alternating rectangular panels of tourquoise and yellow enamel. There are spaces between each of the panels possibly indicating lost enamel fragments. The head narrows as it melds into the bow and becomes semi-circular in section. Part way along the sides of the head a flare develops which continues into the bow running along and defining the bottom edge of the bow. The edge of this flare is decorated with a line of closely set recessed holes. On the top of the brooch at roughly the midway point (where the enamel inlay ends) is a knop with its surface divided into decorative squares. On the underside of the brooch at this same point, a low ridge starts, eventually expanding to form the catch plate. Part of the turned over hook of the catch plate survives but most is broken away. The butt end of the bow is formed by a knop decorated with fine diagonal recessed lines. A raised ridge marks where the knop meets the tail of the bow. The pin is a one piece casting, quite thick where it attaches to the head and narrowing towards its point. Most of the pin survives, though the tip is missing.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Quantity: 1
Length: 71.03 mm
Width: 24.47 mm
Thickness: 13.99 mm
Weight: 26.9 g
This information is restricted for your access level.
SMR reference number: PRN32852
Other reference: PAS2013-12-001
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
4 Figure: SH4766
Four figure Latitude: 53.16906226
Four figure longitude: -4.29033601
1:25K map: SH4766
1:10K map: SH46NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.