Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WMID-87A147
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
An incomplete copper alloy brooch of Colchester derivative Polden Hill (flat wing ends type), Mackreth 2011, 4.d. Plate 47. Roman date AD 80 to AD 120.
Approximately 95% of the brooch is present, consisting of the head, bow, both wings, spring, axis bar, incomplete pin and catchplate. The rest of the pin, catch plate and foot are missing, presumed lost in antiquity.
In plan, the brooch is almost T-shaped, and D-shaped in cross section. The bow head is hump-like, and angular (comma shaped) in profile, with cylindral wings projecting from either side at the top. An incomplete rearward facing hook is present at the head of the bow, this holds part of the spring. A centrally positioned vertical groove, with zig zag decoration within it, runs down the length of the bow. A vertical ridge is present next to the wing cap. Each of the wings has a sub circular pierced wing cap.The back of the brooch is undecorated. A coiled copper alloy wire spring and iron axis bar is present within the cylindrical groove behind the wings. The catch plate is present at the base of the bow, consisting of a large triangular plate, with an incomplete folded edge to retain the pin (now missing).
The brooch measures 39.3 mm length, is 19.6 mm wide across wings and 13.7 mm thick. It weighs 11.7 grams.
The brooch is a mid to dark green colour, with an uneven patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface.
Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches (p 300, fig 159). Similar brooches have been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-AD27D3, WMID-4A2F08, WMID-06C0F8 and WMID-081AE1.
Reference:
Hattatt, R. (2000) A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books, Oxford.
Class:
Colchester derivative Polden Hill (Mackreth Group 4, flat wing ends type)
Sub class: Mackreth 2011, 4.d. Plate 47
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 80
Date to: Circa AD 120
Quantity: 1
Length: 39.3 mm
Width: 19.6 mm
Thickness: 13.7 mm
Weight: 11.7 g
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 4th April 2015 - Saturday 4th April 2015
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4 Figure: SO8196
Four figure Latitude: 52.5614975
Four figure longitude: -2.28170809
1:25K map: SO8196
1:10K map: SO89NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.