BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy lugged disc plate brooch (moulded type) of the Roman period, dating from c. AD 100 - c. AD 200.

The brooch is broadly circular in plan and is broadly C shaped in section. There are nine protruding circular knops from the outer edge of the brooch, the top two form part of the hinge that hold the remains of the spring on the reverse. The front of the object is concave and has been decorated with a six pointed star or sun in the centre with six white enamel pellets surrounding it. There is blue enamel decorating the outer edge of the design, the blue enamel has a scalloped edge, with some traces of red enamel on the left edge. The reverse is convex and is undecorated. At the top are the remains of the hinge and spring, the pin is missing presumed lost in antiquity. The base has a protruding semi circular lug at a right angle to the brooch plate, this is the remains of the catch plate.

The brooch measures 20.6 mm in length and is 17.4 mm wide. The plate has a thickness of 3.5 mm, the hinge is 4.7 mm thick. It weighs 3.1 g.

The brooch is a mid to light green in colour with traces of white, red and blue enamel on the surface. It has an uneven patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Similar examples of this type of brooch have been recorded in Hattatt (2000), fig 205, page 346, No 1058. Other examples have been recorded on the database including HAMP-CDF707 and NMS-40FD76. These records, and Hattatt (2000) suggest that this form of brooch is rare and probably imported.

Ref:

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