BROOCH

Early Anglo-Saxon small-long brooch made from cast copper alloy with the remains of an iron pin and spring on the reverse. The upper part (headplate) of the brooch is sub-square in plan. Although most of the edges are abraded the less abraded parts suggest that the this part of the brooch is nearly complete. The only decoration on the headplate is a vertical linear groove forming a border on the right-hand side. This does not seem to occur on the upper edge, and due to the abrasion on the left-hand side it is not visible. On the reverse there a single integral lug visible, around which there is a coil or corrosion and a lot of corroding iron, which presumably is the spring. There is also a fragment of fabric which is adhered to the corrosion. The fabric here consists of two horizontal threads and the terminal of approximately five vertical threads. The threads themselves are twisted and fibrous. The textile has been stained orange by the iron corrosion. The central portion of the brooch, the bow, is a 'C' shape in profile, and triangular in cross-section. The lower terminal of the bow finishes with a moulded 'V' shape. The bow narrows slightly in width at the apex to form a waisted shape. The lower part of the brooch (footplate) is sub-triangular, but as all the edges are now abraded this may not have been the original shape. It is undecorated. On the reverse there is a stub of catchplate visible, surrounded by corroding iron and a fragment of fabric which is adhered to the corrosion. This piece of textile is similar to the threads visible on the upper portion of the brooch. The surface of the brooch has developed a shiny mid blue/green patina. In length it measures 40.4mm and in width 17.5mm. It weighs 7.84g. It dates to the 5th or 6th century AD.