BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy headstud brooch of Roman date (AD 75-200). This example is an unusual type with a double headstud. The object is composed of rectangular wings and a circular sectioned bow. From the head a bi-furcated rectangular projection which terminates in an old break, but which would have formed a loop. The foot is ovate with a flat base. The reverse of the head retains a circular axis bar and partial wire pin and a partial catchplate. The reverse of the bow retains two circular rivets using in affixing the headstuds.

The brooch is decorated with repeating transverse lines on the wings, and three triangular cells of enamel on the base of the suspension loop. The head is decorated with two headstuds, the upper stud has a raised circular border with inner circle and a central raised circular stud. The lower stud has an ovate raised boarder with inner raised circle and a central raised circular stud. Below the headstuds the bow is decorated with remnants of four lentoid cells with repeating transverse lines running to the foot.

The metal is a dark green and brown in colour with areas of pitted corrosion.

Length: 49.39mm, Width (at wings): 25.41mm, Thickness: 7.55mm, Weight: 18.90g.

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

Only five similar examples are recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database Unique ID's: YORYM-EDE045, SWYOR-AE1AF1, SWYOR-F32918, IOW-B485B5 and YORYM-4EC333. They are specifically North East / East Midlands products with an outlier from the Isle of Wight.