|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast copper-alloy and gilded button brooch (c. AD 500 - c. 550). Suzuki Class A3.This brooch is circular in plan and the upturned rim and pin are missing.The upper surface of the brooch has a raised border which has been punched with regularly spaced 'triangles'. Within the border is a central chip-carved anthropomorphic forward facing mask. The 'helmet' (or possibly hair) is a sub-triangular in shape. The eyebrows and nose are formed of a single element and the eyebrows are horizontal and the nose is a sub-triangular shape. Both eyes are portrayed as small triangles and the double cheeks are sub-oval. The horizontal mouth is pointed-oval. The rear surface is slightly convex. At the rear there is a single pin-lug and a catch-plate, both of which are incomplete. A break has occurred across the perforation and the curled-over part of the catch-plate is missing. The surviving part of the perforation in the pin lug contains iron staining. There is also iron staining adjacent to the lug. With the mask upright, the pin-lug is at 9 o' clock and the catch-plate is at 3 o' clock.The edge of the brooch is abraded where the rim was located. A green patina is present at the front and rear and some gilding has survives at the front.There is no indication of burning or melting.Diameter: 18.89mm; thickness: 3.81mm. Weight: 3.94g.Button brooches are distinguished by their small size and by the anthropomorphic face-masks which they feature. They may have been used in different ways as dress fasteners. It is thought that they may have been used singly rather than in pairs like the similar but larger saucer brooches. Button brooches are found throughout much of southern England and date between the later fifth and mid-sixth centuries.
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
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete and corroded Early-Medieval…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete Early-Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) cast…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete cast copper alloy…
|