BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Colchester derivative (Dolphin) type brooch of Roman date (AD 43 - 65).

Approximately 75% of the brooch is present, consisting of the head, bow and wings. The pin and spring are missing along with the foot and catchplate, presumably lost in antiquity. The bow head is hump-like, and angular (comma shaped) in profile. The bow is sub circular in cross section. The bow is broader at the head which then narrows to a broken terminal. At the top of the head projecting vertically is a rectangular tab that would have formed a rearward facing hook to secure the spring. At the reverse of the head is a concave sub rectangular recess, which extends the entire width of the brooch (from one wing to the other), and would have originally held the spring. The wings are semi-cylindrical in profile without end caps. The brooch has a mid-green coloured patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

There are parallels recorded on the PAS database, for example WMID-16F815 discovered in Staffordshire and WMID-A0DDC4 discovered in Lincolnshire. Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches (p 298, fig 157) and are of 1st CenturyAD dating.

The brooch measures 25.52mm length, is 26.07mm wide across wings and 7.05mm thick. It weighs 11.5 grams.

Hattatt, R. (2000) A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books, Oxford.