Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: IOW-D9CE3E
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Roman copper-alloy Colchester derivative two-piece bow brooch.
The spring and pin mechanism (except the chord) and the lower part of the bow, including the catch-plate, are missing.
This brooch is 'T'-shaped in plan. It has wide semi-circular wings, moulded at the front and concave at the rear. At the front, each wing is similar and has two cavetto-like mouldings with alternating vertical knurled ribs (reel and bead). One rib is at the centre and there is one at each end. However, the outer end rib on each wing are not well defined due to corrosion. At the rear, the wings are concave and deeply concave at the centre. Both ends of the wings are flat but incomplete. The wings have depth of 7.4mm and a thickness of 5.0mm. At the head the bow there is a substantial perforated lug, 5.1mm in width, for the external chord. The circular perforation has a diameter of 2.9mm and houses a copper-alloy wire chord, 2.0mm in diameter. The sides of the bow taper evenly inwards from the wings towards the break at the bottom. At the junction with the wings the bow has a width of 11.2mm and the width at the break is 5.8mm. The bow has a maximum thickness of 7.6mm just below the wings and is 4.0mm thick at the bottom. In side view the bow is slightly and evenly curved. The bow is moulded at the front. At the top, adjacent to the lug, there is a shallow horizontal groove. Beneath the groove are two contiguous inscribed saltires, one above the other. These three features are proud as they are flanked on each side by a distinct step. Immediately below the lower saltire there is an indistinct circular bulbous feature. This bulbous feature is bisected at its centre by a shallow vertical median groove which extends to the break becoming more distinct as it does so. The maximum width of the groove is 3.1mm. This groove is flanked on either side by oblique knurling which has a feathered appearance. The sides and the rear face of the bow are flat and plain. On the rear face r the bow, adjacent to the wings, there is a projecting 'lip' which has the same width of the bow and is knurled around its edge.
This brooch has a shiny green patina with small pathes of corrosion and areas of off-white concretion. The median groove at the front of the bow has white metal coating but none can be seen elsewhere. The rear face of the wings is corroded and uneven with specks of iron staining. The breaks are old.
Height: c. 47.0mm; overall width of wings: 45.1mm. Weight: 20.66g.
Compare with brooches from Richborough (Bayley and Butcher 2004: 83, fig. 62).
Bayley, J. and Butcher, S. 2004. Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study based on the Richborough Collection. Society of Antiquaries.
Class: Colchester derivative two-piece
Current location of find: Finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Quantity: 1
Height: 47 mm
Width: 45.1 mm
Weight: 20.66 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 30th March 2016 - Wednesday 30th March 2016
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Other reference: IOW2016-3-100
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: White metal coated
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.