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Description: | Complete cast copper alloy brooch 13th century brooch. The brooch is sub-shield shaped in plan and domed in section, in that it is a moulded design with, probably, a slightly flatter reverse. The frame is formed from two opposing figures each with both arms upraised, joined by a subrectangular moulded mid section to complete the frame at the upper edge. The lower portion of frame is formed from the lower bodies of the figures curving down and inwards into a single leg, which are similarly joined as the hands, with a rectangular portion of frame. Beneath this rectangular portion, at the lower centre of the bottom edge of the frame is a semicircular knop. Each figure is wearing a four-peaked crown. Each crown has a band from which extends downwards from the centre either a moulded raised, subrectangular nose guard, or the nose itself. The eyes are simply formed from incised lentoids. There are no other facial features. The arms are plain and squared off at the end as there has been no attempt to render hands or fingers. The torsos of the figures are moulded with a central raised band, which bisects them at the halfway point. Above the band, on the upper torso, the figures are moulded with tightly set raised dots, which gives the impression of chain mail. The lower body is plain. The legs are plain and also end squared off. However the ends are slightly narrowed and stepped giving the impression of hooves. The recorder postulates that the figures may be half man half beast. When viewed head on, the left figure is pierced with one circular hole. This perforation holds the complete copper alloy pin, now bent. There does not appear top be a corresponding pin rest on the opposing figure. N.B. This object was identified from a one-view photograph. From the scale it is 30mm wide and 32mm long. The original surface of the buckle appears to be missing, but there are patches of both dark and light green. The object requires more cleaning to assess its condition. See 'Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at The Old Ranges, Shoeburyness, Essex' by Jo Perkins for Gifford and Partners Ltd, Gifford report no. B1644A.3R A similar example, though with different figure forms was recorded in the Portable Antiquities Scheme Annual report for 2004-5, number 123. Here it is noted that that object was the first base metal example of a brooch type usually made in silver or gold. James Robinson of the British Museum suggests that a base metal version was produced for lower ranking members of society. However, a similar copper alloy brooch has been recorded from Suffolk (ESS849592) suggesting that more examples will be coming to light.
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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