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Description: | An incomplete and abraded copper alloy Roman Trumpet brooch dating from 45 - 200AD. The bow of the brooch has an angular (slightly stumpy) profile and an angular D shaped cross section. The bow tapers from a wide flared head to a bulbous foot knop. The brooch measures 56.7mm in length, 17.9mm width, is 12.8mm thick, and weighs 19.15 grams. The head of the brooch is sub oval in plan and tapers into the bow of the brooch. The reverse of the head is concave with a cast D shaped projecting bar which divides the head into two parts. This bar is abraded but complete. A small broken bar projects from the head of the brooch; this is most likely to be the remains of the head loop. The bow of the brooch is D shaped in cross section. The head of the brooch tapers into the body which remains uniform in width. Halfway, along the length of the bow, is a series of three sub-circular (D shaped) cast moldings. The area beneath the moldings is decorated (described below) and tapers to a bulbous turned foot knob. The catchplate and pin rest are complete. The catchplate is sub triangular in plan and expands from a rib which starts beneath the three mouldings. The pin rest is formed from the edge of the catchplate which has been rolled to form a U shaped rest. The head is decorated with a series of cast elements. These elements are based around two curvi-linear ribs which mirror each other in shape and pattern. These ribs seem to form the nostrils and eyes of a crude zoomorphic head. Beneath the three moldings on the bow of the brooch is a rectangular panel which is divided in two by a cast central rib. Both the sub-divided areas are filled with mirrored a series of 4 annulets on each side with central pellets. It is likely that the annulets are formed from silver wire or have been silvered as small areas of this applied surface survive. Other areas that have a silvered applied surface are the reverse of the catch plate and areas on the head of the brooch. Much of this applied surface has been lost through abrasion. The brooch is of a mid green brown colour with an abraded patina which covers all surfaces. The abrasion has removed some of the decoration present. The brooch itself is also slightly twisted in profile and the pin rest at the edge of the catch plate has been damaged. A number of areas of light green powdery copper corrosion are present, these are especially common and around the periphery of the brooch. A number of this type of trumpet brooch can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Catalogue of Ancient Brooches; page 327 figures; 431, 446, and 938 ( all these examples do not have head loops). All these examples are dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
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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