BROOCH

A near complete cast copper alloy brooch of Colchester derivative Polden Hill type of Roman date (80-120 AD). The wings are complete with flat and pierced end cap. The axis bar and spring are present; the axis bar is formed from a length of copper alloy wire and holds the spring and pin which is also formed from copper alloy wire turned ten times and held in place by an external cord which is fixed to a rearward facing hook positioned at the midpoint on the upper edge of the reverse. The pin is near complete but distorted. The head of the brooch bow is hump like - being comma shaped in profile. The bow is D shaped in cross section. It extends to a rounded 'bun shaped' foot b. The catch-plate is formed from a rib on the rear of the bow which starts below the head it is crescent shaped and the external edge is rolled to form the pin rest. The brooch is sparsely decorated with a series of cast and applied patterns. These are limited to the end caps which are decorated with a circumferential groove and transverse notches and cast D shaped lugs either side of the bow in line with the wing case. The bow and catchplate are undecorated and the foot has a single transverse ridge which separates it from the lower bow. The upper part of the pin - where it joins the spring - is decorated with a series of incised grooves forming a series of ribs. The brooch is a mid - light brown colour with an even but abraded / dusty patina. In places the brooch is severely compromised by stress fractures caused by movement in the ploughsoil. Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches and Bayley and Butcher: Roman Brooches in Britain.

The brooch measures 64.4mm length, is 22.3mm width across wings, 6.8mm width across bow, is 5.2mm thick across the bow (at the same point). It weighs 13.37 grams.