BROOCH

A Roman brooch of Colchester derivative, Polden Hill (Mackreth 2011, Chapter 3, Part 3, Group 4b, c.f. Mackreth Type 4b, Plate 46, AD c. 75-400.

The axis bar and spring mechanism are almost complete, only the length of spring that passes above the coil and is held in place by a perforated lug is missing. The pin is also missing. The wings are cylindrical in plan with wing / end caps intact and the axis bar is visible as it has pierced the wing caps. The bow is hump like and is rounded at the upper section as it meets the wings.

At the reverse of the head is the spring mechanism which contains seven coils around the axis bar. The last coil is broken at the point where it would have extended vertically to form the pin. The perforated lug is damaged and the coil no longer passes through it.

The bow tapers slightly to a narrowed foot. The bow has been bent and distorted slightly. The bow has a rounded foot. At the reverse of the brooch the catchplate is damaged. It is broadly triangular in form and the long edge curves over slightly so it could hold the pin. There is no decoration on the bow of the brooch. The wings are decorated at the end, at the point where the wing caps extend with a vertical incision. The brooch has a well-developed dark green coloured patina.

The brooch measures 62.1 mm in length, 20.3 mm in width across the wings, 4.9 mm thick at the head of the bow and weighs 14.4 grams.

Mackreth classifies this type as Group 4b dating to late 1st to 4^th century and they are distributed from Derbyshire down to Gloucestershire. Plate 46, No. 1893 or 1911 are close parallels for the form.

Mackreth, D.F., 2011 Brooches in Late Iron Age and Roman Britain Oxford : Oxbow Books.