BROOCH

A nearly complete cast copper alloy Saucer brooch of Early-medieval (Anglo-Saxon) date. The brooch retains most of the upturned rim although there is slight plough damage to one edge. Within the centre of the brooch is a field of decoration, consisting of a circular outer field of triangles; those pointing twoards the centre of the brooch have linear scores within them and those facing towards the outside of the brooch are plain. Within this outermost field is a raised rib, again circular in plan, that bounds the innermost circular field of decoration. This can be as devolved zoomorphic and geometric shapes possibly alternating with trapezoidals fields, however the true nature of the design is hard to decipher from the image. The reverse of the brooch retains the catchplate and lug for the pin which has heavy iron concretion adhering to it. This indicates that either the pin was made of iron, which is common on the these brooches (MacGregor and Bolick 1993:42). The pin is now missing.

Saucer brooches were common in the Upper Thames Valley and surrounding area during the fifth and sixth centuries AD, although some production may have continued into the early seventh century (Macgregor and Bolick 1993:42). Although no direct comparisons could be found, this is not unusual as these brooches were often made from single castings (ibid.).