BROOCH 603581

Description: An incomplete copper alloy tinned Roman (AD 150-300) enamelled oval plate brooch, missing a central oval (probably paste or glass) intaglio, some of the enamel decoration and the curl of the catchplate to the reverse. It measures 30.83x25.57x8.96mm and weighs 7.52g. The central setting is missing but the area measures 13.13x10.82x0.97mm. Around this central area is a c.2.5mm thick copper alloy band. A similar, slightly narrower (c.1.5mm), band flanks the outside edge. The area between the two bands is a single cell filled with alternating royal blue and white enamel (six of each). There are two patches of damage. There are traces of tinning (or perhaps silvering) on the thicker of the copper alloy bands. The reverse of the brooch has a single pierced lug for the axis bar, which is intact but corroded and made of iron. The copper alloy pin remains, and is a different copper alloy to that of the plate itself. It has a coil to either side of the lug with the cord curling beneath it. The catchplate is damaged at the curl. Bayley and Butcher comment of this brooch type that most examples occur in central and southern Britain and very few from abroad. Those that have been found in datable contexts suggest a mid-2nd century to 3rd century date (2004 p.178).

Date: 150 - 300

Object type: BROOCH

Last import: September 22, 2022