Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
BROOCH
Unique ID: SF-A6AB3C
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper-alloy cloisonne disc brooch dating to the late Early-Medieval period (c. 900-1100) of Saunderton type (Weetch type 20.A). It is circular in plan and broadly plano-convex in section, with a flat back and rounded upper surface. Around its edge are eight evenly-spaced lobed collets around the circumferential flange that marks the edge of the backplate, each containing a domed insert of blue glass. The main body of the brooch demonstrates cloisonné (inlaid glass) decoration, with copper-alloy wire forming a trefoil-shaped flower that itself has been inlaid with extremely pale blue glass, though two of these are now empty. This element is flanked by two smaller circular cells of pale blue glass, around which is a further inlay of darker blue glass with single triangular cell of purple glass underneath the flower itself. Both the upper and lower faces of the brooch demonstrate extensive remains of gilding, the latter of which also demonstrates a now broken double-lugged pin attachment mechanism and catchplate. Preserved in good condition with a greenish patina showing through the gilding, it measures 28.94mm in diameter, 3.93mm thick at its midpoint, and weighs 7.01g.
Saunderton-type brooches within Britain have a distinctly East-Anglian distribution, though a number have also been recorded from central and south-eastern England. Other pieces of this type are also known from Danish contexts (Buckton 1986).
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Class:
cloisonné enamelled (Weetch Type 20)
Sub class: Saunderton type (Weetch Type 20.A)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 900
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 3.93 mm
Weight: 7.01 g
Diameter: 28.94 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 16th March 2017
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: St. Edmundsbury (District)
To be known as: Wordwell
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckton, D. | 1986 | Late 10th and 11th-century cloisonne enamel brooches |
Similar objects
Find number: SF-494867
Object type: BROOCH
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
An incomplete and heavily corroded cast copper-alloy cloisonné disc type brooch dating to the late Early Medieval period (c. 900-1100) of Sa…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SF-9686EE
Object type: BROOCH
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast copper-alloy cloisonné disc type brooch dating to the late Early Medieval period (c. 900-1100) of Saunderton type (Weetch…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SF-497558
Object type: BROOCH
Broadperiod: EARLY MEDIEVAL
An incomplete cast copper-alloy cloisonné disc type brooch dating to the late Early Medieval period (c. 900-1100) of Saunderton type (Weetch…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618