BROOCH

A fragmentary cast copper alloy T-shaped brooch of early Roman date. Present is the head, with broken pin, and upper bow; the lower bow, including leg and catch-plate, are missing. The head is formed of cylindrical wings with a central slot. The wings contain the copper-alloy axis bar for the hinged pin, viewable within the slot. The head of the copper-alloy pin, with spur, is still in the slot; only the beginnings of the rest of the pin survives in addition, bent to one side. Both wings are decorated with a trio of lines at the end on the upper surface. There is no evidence for a tab or loop at the head.

The bow has a curved cross-section, shallowly concave on the back and convex on the front. It projects at c. 30 degrees from the head, with the main part flat and in the same plane as the wings. The bow is decorated with three abutting raised lozenge shaped cells with central lozenge shaped recesses to take enamel; only the top of the lower cells is visible at the point of break. The outlines of the moulded cells are emphasised by incised lines. The sides of the upper bow are rebated.

The break is old, with the bow twisted at this point. The fragment has an even mid-green patina.

Bayley and Butcher (2004, 167) suggest this type is mainly South Western in distribution and dates to the later first - early 2nd century AD (c. AD 75-150). For a local parallel see Leech (1980, 108; no. 17).