BROOCH

A complete Roman copper alloy Colchester derivative Polden Hill type brooch, probably dating to c. AD 80-120.

The wings of the bow survive complete, 18.7mm wide, with a semi-cylindral cross section, open to the top and rear and terminating in a perforated wing cap at either end. These are sub-oval, 6.6mm tall and expanding backwards 7.8mm and have an off-centre drilled circular perforation, holding a copper alloy axis bar in situ. The wings are plain.

The upper bow is flanked by parallel mouldings which together form a rectangular plate, with a pronounced knop in either corner. The front of the plate is cast into three ribs, with one on either side, and a more pronounced third rib being central and continuous with the lower bow. From this central rib projects a crest which arches over the head and terminates in a pierced lug, holding the wire of the sprung pin in situ. This rectangular plate is 14.3mm long and 12.5mm wide, excluding the central crest, the bow is 3.8mm thick.

Below the plate the bow narrows to 3.1mm wide and 4.1mm thick, with a elongated, D-shaped cross section. The lower bow is plain, tapering to an unelaborated foot, and in profile expanding into an unperfortated catchplate 15.3mm tall.

Although broken at one point, the pin and spring both survive complete, the spring having five coils, and the pin having an oval cross section, 2.3mm wide by 2.2 mm thick, and bulging slightly in the middle.

Overall dimensions: Length 48.6mm; width 18.7mm; maximum thickness 15.8mm, thickness at head (including crest) 9.8mm; weight 12.41g.

This brooch is an example of Mackreth's (2011: 77) type 5.b1, and can be compared to other examples of his type 5.b illustrated on Plate 50, especially nos. 12031 and 1839. Bayley & Butcher (2004: 90) suggest that the Polden Hill method of pin attachment was limited largely to the years c. AD 80-120.