|
Date: |
|
Description: | Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral type (similar to the Wroxeter sub-type and head stud series) bow brooch of Roman date (43-200AD). The brooch consists of an oval D shaped head from which a broken head loop projects. On the reverse of the head are two perforated lugs through which an iron axis bar passes holding the remains of a hinged pin. The pin is sub-rectangular in cross section and is broken below the head lugs. The bow of the brooch is relatively short and angular; it is broadly D shaped in cross section with the flat part of the bow being the exterior edge and the curved part the interior. The bow tapers along its length and terminates in a small bulbous foot. The catch plate on the reverse face of the bow is incomplete; it expands from a central rib located beneath the bow of the brooch. This rib expands from a point ½ way along the length of the brooch. The outer edge of the catchplate is turned over to create a U shaped, slightly recessed, pin rest. The brooch measures 59.1mm length, 14.5m width, is 21.1mm thick and weighs 19.66 grams. The brooch is decorated with a number of both cast and applied decoration. The applied decoration consists of two main areas. The first is below the broken head loop; here a single horizontal band of three rectangular panels are present. The central panel still retains its red enamel; however the two flanking panels have both been lost. The other larger and main area of applied decoration is present on the bow of the brooch. Here, there is a rectangular vertical panel which has been split vertically into three even columns. Within each of these three columns are smaller squares of red and another darker (possibly blue coloured) enamel. These alternate forming a well executed checker-board pattern. The panel extends from a point below the junction with the head loop to the middle of the bow. The cast decoration consists of relatively simple geometric patterns. These are situated at the junction of the head and bow and similarly at the junction between the head and head loop. A further area of decoration is present beneath the enameled panel where a circular raised boss is present; this is divided by a vertical cross. The catch plate of the brooch is also decorated with a series of cast vertical lines. The brooch is a mid green colour with an even and mostly unabraded patina. Where abrasion has occurred it is slight and has affected the exterior elements of the brooch, such as the foot, catchplate and head loop. The break on the head loop is relatively old and the edges are worn. The preservation of the applied enamel surfaces has been affected by the burial conditions and although relatively complete they are fragile. Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches pp 331 fig; 190 example 1538 and Bayley and Butcher: Roman Brooches in Britain p 168-169. The distribution of the Wirral Style brooches is similar to that of the Wroxeter style of brooch appears to originate in the Midlands and North Wales. This example fits into Hulls typology as T151 - D.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
BROOCH
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
BROOCH
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
BOW BROOCH
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
Bow Brooch
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
BROOCH
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
Bow Brooch
Incomplete copper alloy two-piece Wirral…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete fragment of cast…
-
BROOCH
An unusual and incomplete variant…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete fragment of an…
|