BROOCH

An incomplete copper alloy Roman  hinged type, dolphin brooch dating to c. AD 50-150 (Bayley & Butcher 2005, 157). The brooch survives as the head, wings, and bow of the brooch, it is missing its pin mechanism, pin, foot and catchplate.

The wings of the brooch are 28.2mm wide, and crescent shaped in profile with a convex front surface and concave rear. Both surfaces are plain while the upper and lower edges are worn and abraded. There are traces of iron corrosion product on the reverse of the wings suggesting the presence of an iron pin now lost.

The bow of the brooch is D-shaped in cross section with a flat reverse and convex front surface. The bow of the brooch projects from the front of the wings with a width of 8.5mm. It then narrows down its length (33.4mm) to a minimum width of 4.9mm where it emanates in a worn and abraded break. The bow first projects outwards from the front of wings before angling (almost at 90 degrees) downwards for most of its length in a smooth angled gradient. The brooch has moulded and incised decoration. At the top of the bow there is a transverse groove dividing the bow from the wings, after which the upper surface of bow becomes slightly thicker before a second groove. Below the second the second groove there are tow parallel incised lines running down the length of the bow just below its apex, giving the impression of a subtle central ridge.

The brooch has a medium green patina and is slightly abraded.

The brooch is 35.2mm long, 28.2mm wide and is 7.4mm thick at the interface between the bow and wings. The brooch weighs 10.39 grams.

Very similar brooches are illustrated by Hattat (2000, 298, No. 350), Mackreth (2011, pl. 41, No. 1010) and Bayley and Butcher (2004, 158 fig 127). The latter describes the type as one from south-western Britain which date to the mid first century c.AD 25-65.