BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper-alloy late Iron Age to Early Roman (AD 20-70) Colchester one-piece brooch. The brooch measures 61.62mm in length and at the wingspan, 14.35mm in width. It is incomplete insofar as the spring, pin and catchplate are missing. At the top of the bow are two protrusions, originally extending into the spring (lower) and forward-facing hook (upper). The top protrusion measures 5.08mm in length and 4.31mm in width, though it tapers slightly in width to 2.16mm. It measures 1.77mm in thickness. The lower protrusion measures 4.82mm in length, curling at the end up towards the higher protrusion. The width measures 4.09mm, but like the upper protrusion this too tapers in to 1.07mm wide. The lower protrusion measures 1.23mm thick. It is likely that the lower protrusion would have continued to curl upwards and over the wings, whilst the upper protrusion would have continued downwards to form the pin, as demonstrated in Hattatt (2000), p291, no.742.

The wingspan is 14.35mm wide and 4.16mm. They are broadly complete, though the tips of the wings show evidence of wear. From the wingspan stems the bow, measuring 58.59mm in length and 5.93mm in width, tapering slightly down the length of the bow to a point. After 38.08mm, the bow bends approximately 40 degrees towards the back of the brooch. There is no discernible decoration on any part of the brooch.

The patina is rough, and overall the brooch has a dark green colour. There are patches of reddish oxidisation on the head and bow. In total, the brooch weighs 5.66g.