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Description: | Incomplete gilt copper alloy Florid cruciform brooch of Aberg Group V. Leeds (1971) later added subroups to Abergs group V, and it is probable that this brooch is Leeds subgroup i. All decorative features described below refer to chip-carving as the method of decoration, unless stated otherwise.
The brooch is in very good condition and most of the gilding survives. The brooch was recovered in three pieces that make up the majority of the brooch. The missing parts include the perimeter area of the headplate wings, the perimeter area of the foot terminal, and both of the lappets situated below the bow.
The upper fragment of the brooch comprises the headplate and bow. The right hand side wing is detached and described further below. This fragment measures 75.58mm x 56.02mm x 2.63mm. The headplate is square and is decorated in the centre with a square panel. In the centre of the panel is a zoomorphic design, with a large oval eye in the centre and perhaps a claw above. There is a pair of linear borders above and to the right, and a single linear border to the left. Beyond each border is a rectangle with rounded terminals, decorated with a row of smaller rectangles within it emphasised by chip carved surrounds. These rectangular borders are located on a flat panal that extends from the headplate forming a narrow collar before the wings. The wings are roughly oval extensions and are identical to each other. The wings are in the form of a human-style mask facing outwards from the brooch. When viewed in its entirety, the rectangular border forms a band of hair above the forehead. Below this is a pair of eyes and a large triangular nose with concave sides. A pair of concave lines mark the area below the eyes, giving the mask the appearance of an older, weathered person. To either side of the concave lines is a scroll-like ear motif, and inside below that are three futher concave lines perhaps depicting a beard. There is a flat panel below the nose that bears no decoration apart from being silvered or tinned. There are three pairs of lines extending from the bottom of the central decorative panel meeting the top of the bow. The bow is short, arched and is faceted. The top of the bow is a flat rectangular panel with a rivet hole through the centre containing the remains of an iron pin. One of the decorative lines meets the centre of the upper side of the rectangular bow, whereas the flanking lines meet the corners of the bow respectively. The same decoration repeats itself below the bow, and there are two further pairs to either side of the bow highlighting the facets. The bow is broken a the base. On the reverse of the headplate there are two integral lugs for a pin. There is a corroded iron axis pin passing through the lugs, and there is further iron corrosion surrounding the lugs.
The right hand wing is detached from the main headplate and measures 39.55mm x 30.34mm x 1.73mm.
The lower fragment of the brooch comprises the area immediately beneath the bow to the terminal of the foot, and measures 82.48mm x 58.45mm x 1.21mm. The brooch marries up with the upper fragment and the break is well patinated showing that it was broken in antiquity. The same decorative square panel seen in the centre of the headplate is repeated immediately below bow. To either side of this area are two broken stubs of copper alloy showing where the side lappets once were. Both are now missing. The foot is triangular with a short rectangular extension above. At the top of this extension is another large human mask with parge round eyes and smaller rounded cheeks beneath. Above the eyes is a well-pronounced curved brow-ridge. The nose is triangular and from the base of the nose extends a large triagular frame enclosing an elaborate zoomorphic interlace decoration. To either side of the triangular frame is an elaborate scroll-shaped nostril or moustache. The terminal of the foot is a flat, incomplete, silvered or tinned panel. There is an incomplete catchplate at the top of the bow with a linear moulding running down the centre beneath it. There is iron corrosion on the inside of the catchplate suggesting that the brooch was deposited with the pin in a closed position, indicative of a burial.
The entire object has been damaged by what is likely to have been heavy farm machinery. The brooch is concave and has the appearance of being indirectly pushed down at force in the centre.
The brooch was discovered along with a cruciform brooch, a great square headed brooch, a girdle hanger, two beads, an annular ring and an iron spear, suggesting that the site is an inhumation cemetery.
The use of both a white-metal (tin or silver) coating and gilding is known as Bichrome Style, and dates to the mid or later sixth century AD. | Subjects: | Aberg Group V (i) Florid cruciform Anglo-Saxon | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Daubney, Adam - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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