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Description: | Tiny annular brooch frame made of silver with gilding on all faces. Circular and 14 mm in diameter, it is D-shaped in cross-section with a flat reverse. There are two longitudinal oval settings on the frame, each retaining a tiny purple cabochon-cut stone, perhaps an amethyst. From each end of the setting a long transversely ribbed neck emerges, curving around to form the circle, and ending in an animal head which has moulded ears and moulded and dotted circle eyes. Between one pair of heads is a flattened and expanded rounded pin rest, which has decoration of radiating grooves and which was probably intended to represent a shell. Between the other pair of heads is a similar expanded flattened area with radiating grooves, but this time pierced to make a pin hole. A very nice well-made little brooch. Examined by J Robinson at British Museum who dates it to the 13th century. He writes (29.08.2002): "A medieval, circular brooch measuring 15 mm in diameter. The ring of the brooch is formed of four crudely fashioned animal or dragon heads. Two of the animals grip with their mouths the loop for the pin attachment while the other two grip the grooved recess for the pin-rest in the same manner. The pin is lost. The bodies of the animals are conjoined by two centrally placed garnets. The brooch dates to the thirteenth century. Examination at the British Museum has established the metal to be silver-gilt. I can confirm that it contains a minimum of 10 per cent silver. Consequently, the brooch qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content and should go forward to inquest."
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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