ROMAN BROOCH

100

A Roman (2nd century AD) copper alloy and enamel Skeuomorphic Plate Brooch of 2nd century date, missing its pin and some enamel decoration, in the form an axe. It measures 28.70x20.76x7.07mm and weighs 4.05g.The brooch has a rectangular shaft (4.02x2.13mm) which projects above the upper edge of the axehead. The axehead is roughly triangular in shape with a concave lower edge. Its 'cutting edge' is 13.94mm wide, its 'butt end' 8.48mm wide. Both head and handle have enamel within them on the front face. The upper handle and upper part of the axe head are now green in colour, while the lower handle and the handle projection above the head, have the remains of red enamel. The lower portion of the head, which is a crescent, is now a powdery grey possibly with traces of yellow. One top corner of the axehead is bent a little backwards.On the reverse are two D-shaped lugs holding between them a copper alloy wire axis bar. Around this are two coils with a stump of pin shaft between them. The cord curls beneath. At the base of the handle is the catchplate with complete curl.For comparison see SF-042714 from West Stow, Suffolk, and Hattatt (Hattat, R. 1989 ‘Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts’: Oxbow) no.1629. Hattatt comments that only three of this enamelled type of 'axe' brooch are known (published 1989) and although this number will no doubt have incresed, this example is only the ninth to be recorded on the PAS database. Hattatt comments the use of enamel is a peculiar native British adaption. Other types of axe brooch are known across the Roman provinces although they appear confined perhaps by type to local areas. Miniature axeheads from Britain, perhaps worn as pendants, are thought to date from the Roman period and although of different form, is does suggest a particular significance of the object. Johns (Johns, C. 1996 ‘The Jewellery of Roman Britain’: UCL Press p. 178) comments that axes are a type of object associated with different cults. The axe-shaped plate brooches may be used in the same as Medieval pilgrim badges, and are therefore associated with a shrine.