BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Colchester derivative brooch of Roman date (AD 75 to AD 175).

Approximately 50% of the brooch is present, consisting of the head, bow, hinge and wings. The foot, pin and catch plate are missing, presumably lost in antiquity.

In plan, the brooch is T-shaped, and D shaped in cross section. The bow head is hump-like, and angular (comma shaped) in profile, with cylindral, hollow wings projecting from either side at the top. The axis bar is still present, within the cylindrical wing casing. The remains of a hinged pin is present at the centre of the wings on the reverse. The front of the bow has been decorated with a central vertical ridge, with a smaller shallower ridge to either side. The recesses have a white metal coating as decoration. The wings have been decorated with two vertical V shaped grooves. The back of the brooch is plain and undecorated. The catch plate is incomplete. The foot is missing.

The brooch measures 53.7 mm length, is 36.1 mm wide across wings and 20.1 mm thick. It weighs 14.7 grams.

The brooch is a mid to dark green colour, with an even patina.

Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches (p 300, fig 159). A similar brooch has been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-9849FA, WMID-B9A0A7 & WMID-60DFE3.

Reference:

Hattatt, R. (2000) A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books, Oxford.