BROOCH

An incomplete cast copper-alloy composite disc brooch of Scandinavian attribution, dating c. 900-950 AD. The brooch is of two piece construction, consisting an openwork domed decorative front plate attached to the solid backplate via means of a central circular-sectioned rivet. The front plate demonstrates decoration in the Jellinge style, consisting a thin and sinuous beast whose body weaves and intertwines into a broadly triangular shape, the hindleg gripping the foreleg. The entire body of the animal demonstrates two parallel raised 'contour lines' which extend along its length, while the eye is also rendered through the same means of moulding. On its rear face, the backplate demonstrates a double-lugged pin hinge (the pin being broken away in old damage) and accompanying catchplate, above which is the remains of a perpendicular loop which originally would have provided the means for a chain to be attached between this brooch and its accompanying partner. A two small pieces have been removed from the edge of the brooch, but otherwise it survives in good condition with a coarse greenish brown patina. It measures c. 30.1mm in diameter, 3.15mm thick at its midpoint, 4.58mm thick at the remnants of the pin-lugs and weighs 9.63g.

These brooches have been the subject of studies by Ingmar Jansson (1984), James Graham-Campbell (1985) and Jane Kershaw (2009). There are two main forms of this type, one of composite construction with a separate backing plate, and a one-piece form. Identical brooches have been found in Birka (Sweden) Dahre and Hamburg (Germany) and Randers, Alborg and Lolland (Denmark), suggesting a south-Scandinavian origin for these objects (Kershaw 2013, p. 317). As of 2013, there were around eleven examples known from England. For similar pieces recorded on the PAS database, see records CAM-371E87, LEIC-A30166, NCL-7E9EE5, NMS-A1C350, NMS-E324E1 and SWYOR-114BB0.