BROOCH

An incomplete probable silver-gilt Thealby brooch of Roman date. The head of the brooch is comprised of rectangular wings the reverse of which act as a double lug hinge mechanism for the pin. The pin no longer remains and patches of copper corrosion mark the remains of the axis bar within the lugs. An integral circular attachment loop projects from a rectangular bar set centrally on the upper edge of the head. The bar is decorated with parallel though unevenly spaced vertical grooves and the loop has moulded decoration to the front face. The front to the wings have concaved central sections with each flared terminal bearing short transverse grooves. The centre of the wings extends into a rectangular sectioned bow which curves downwards tapering in width to terminate in a triple collared circular foot knop. The central collar has a twisted rope-style decoration created by repeating transverse grooves. The base of the foot knop is flat and single longitudinal grooves are present to both the left and right sides of the bow. A complete catchplate projects from the reverse of the lower bow, curving at the outer edge to house the pin. The catchplate is decorated with an incised border and a slight swag around the upper edge of the curved portion.

The metal has a shiny brassy patina with frequent small striations over most of the visible surfaces which may have been a result of the finishing process.

The brooch is 53.7mm long, 20.1mm wide, 20.2mm thick and weighs 20.3g.

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

The finder reported this item to the British Museum in the 1980's believing it to be gold as potential Treasure Trove.Under treasure trove evidence would have to point to the object having been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovery. This object is most likely to be a casual loss and therefore does not constitute treasure trove.

A test showed Specific Gravity of this brooch to be 10.45 which is in accord with the 10.4-10.6 range shown by silver objects. This brooch is silver with a layer of gilding over the surface. It is unusual for surface gilding to remain to such a high degree on ancient brooches recovered from the ground, however this may speak to the quality of the silver substrate.