BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Colchester Derivative Polden Hill type brooch dating to the Roman period (c. AD 75-175). The remains of the brooch consist of the head complete with both wings, the bow, the foot and partial catchplate. Most of the spring and pin are both missing. The wings are complete and terminate in a raised double-moulded rib running longitudinally. On the reverse of the head a concave recess is apparent to accommodate the now missing spring. A small portion of the spring is present but became detached from the brooch since recovery. The hook to hold the top loop of the spring is complete. The bow arches from the head and tapers down to the foot. The top and the head and half of the bow are decorated with a central groove bordered by double-moulded raised ribs, the inner ribs being narrower than the outer. The outer ribs are decorated with incised horizontal lines or dashes running the length of the motif. This design aspect terminates half way down the bow and the rest of the bow to is undecorated. The foot is defined by a collar and terminates in a rounded knop. On the reverse of the foot are the remains of the sub-triangular catchplate. The broken curve of the catch is apparent as it tapers towards the foot. The object is worn and has a dark green patina. The remains of silvering can be seen in patches around the entire object.

A similar example can be seen in Mackreth (2011: 49) no. 1939.

The overall dimensions are as follows: 47.16mm in length, 18.88mm in width, 14.69mm in thickness and 8.55g in weight.