BROOCH

Specialist Report for HM Coroner

A Medieval Silver Annular Brooch from Shifnal Area Shropshire

TREASURE CASE: 2015 T019

Date of discovery: 15/11/2014

Circumstances of discovery: Found by a metal detectorist

County: Shropshire

HM Coroner: Mr John Ellery

PAS Record: HESH-FB6BB6

Description:

The brooch frame is circular in plan and has faceted oval cross section. The join in the frame is masked by the pin constriction. The brooch pin is present and complete; it comprises a cylindrical loop that tapers to a rounded point with a recess that enables the pin to rest on the frame. The cylindrical loop is constricted by a small recess on the frame which ensures it is held in one place. The neck of the pin is decorated with a collar that consists of small raised pellets around the circumference. The frame of the brooch is plain and undecorated having a dark grey polished patina / tarnish that has been scratched in places by movement in the soil.

Dimensions:

The annular brooch frame measures: an average diameter of 12.4mm, and has a thickness and width of 2.4mm. The shaft of the pin below this collar measures 11.3mm long, is circular in section and has a typical diameter of 1.9mm. The brooch weighs 2.9 grams.

Discussion and dating:

This style of this brooch is securely dated to the medieval period - specifically the late 13th and 14^th centuries - with excavated examples being recorded from London (Egan and Pritchard 2002: p.248-249). Similar annular brooches recently reported as treasure include an annular brooch from St. Leonards and St. Ives, East Dorset (Hinds 2014) and a similar brooch from Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria (Boughton 2012).

Statement:

This brooch is over 300 years old and contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and should therefore be considered as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Deposition:

The finder and landowner kindly donated this brooch to Shropshire Museums and it will be displayed in Much Wenlock Museum during May 2015

References:

Boughton, D. (2012) A silver medieval annular brooch from Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria - LANCUM-4A3763 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/497532

Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. (2002) Dress Accessories 1150-1450. Woodbridge, The Bowdell Press.

Hinds, K. (2014) A silver annular brooch from St Leonards and St Ives, East Dorset - HAMP-C7F502 / 2014-T98 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/603034

Author: Victoria Allnatt

Finds Recording Assistant / West Midlands Headley Trust Intern: Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Date: 13/01/2015