BROOCH 929451

Description: An almost complete (but damaged) copper alloy zoomorphic brooch, in the form of a bird, dating to AD 100-200. It has a hollow convex ovate body which extends at the wider end into the neck and head of the bird, with eyes depicted by circular punches and the beak lost to an old break. The tail is depicted by a semi-circular flat extension of the body at the opposite end. The body is undecorated except for a pair of raised ridges which meet behind the bird's head, forming a backwards pointing chevron. A rectangular catchplate, missing the pin pin rest, extends from the centre front of the underside of the body and the double lugged hinge, retaining an iron axis bar and separate copper alloy pin in situ, extends from the rear, just short of the tail. There is a jagged hole c 10mm x 4mm, on the upper left of the body between neck and tail. It has a a pale brown patina with cream patches. There is iron corrosion around the axial pin. Dimensions: length 42.45mm; width 17.65mm; height (including catchplate) 28.28mm; body and head of bird 21.80mm; weight 9g cf. Bayley & Butcher (2005: 174-175), Hattatt (2007) p 360, fig 219, fig 169. Mackreth (2011: plate 126) no 8019 is an almost exact parallel and dates to the latter part of the second century.

Date: 150 - 200

Object type: BROOCH

Last import: September 22, 2022