BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy headstud brooch of Roman date. Only the pin and head loop and catchplate no longer remain. The head of the brooch is comprised rectangular wings the reverse of which act as a double lug hinge mechanism though one lug is damaged. An incomplete axis bar remains through the lugs. The pin no longer remains and worn breaks mark the remains of an integral head loop at the top edge of the head. The front of the wings are decorated with recessed rectangular cells, one to either wing, with two vertically aligned raised lozenges within. The areas around the lozenges are filled with red enamel.

An integral bow extends from between the wings beginning with a square section and tapering to a D-shape. The upper surface of the bow is decorated with a central column of vertically aligned conjoined lozenge shaped cells the interiors of which are filled with blue enamel. These cells are flanked by recessed triangular cells many of which retain traces of red enamel.

The bow terminates in a circular foot knop with a triple banded collar. The worn remains of the catchplate projects from the reverse of the bow.

The metal has a dark bronw patina and is worn. The brooch is 50.5mm long, 20.6mm wide, 4.7mm thick and weighs 15.6g.

Similar examples are illustrated in Hattatt, p.333, fig.192 and are dated to the 2nd Century AD.