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BROOCH
Unique ID: WILT-52B85F
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper alloy and gilt early medieval Saucer brooch dating to the period AD 450-550. The brooch is incomplete and is missing its pin and catchplate. The brooch has been decorated in Style I with multiple motifs including two beasts. The decoration is all in raised relief. In the centre is a raised central circle, this is surrounded by a circular line of decoration. There are then two zoomorphic beasts swirling around the brooch. The beasts each have two legs, a head with an eye and are joined by curving sections. Surrounding the beasts is a raised decorative line. The decorated section is flat and surrounding that is a raised 'saucer' rim 3.77mm wide. The front of the brooch has been gilded and on the back there is evidence of silvering or tinning. On the back of the brooch are the remnants of the catchplate and pin attachment loop. The brooch is 38.45mm in diameter, it is 1.08mm thick and 8.43mm in height.
MacGregor and Bolick (1993) comment that brooches of this type were produced characteristically as single castings, whose dished forms give rise to their name. Normally, women (and, occasionally, young girls) wore them in pairs at the shoulder or the breast.
Class:
cast saucer
Sub class: Style I
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 450
Date to: Circa AD 550
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 8.43 mm
Thickness: 1.08 mm
Weight: 13.61 g
Diameter: 38.45 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 4639
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Wylye
Spatial coordinates
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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