ROMAN BROOCH

60

Roman cast copper alloy T-shaped brooch of standard form but unusually small size. The head is formed of two tubular, circular sectioned wings flanking a central slot. Within the hole through the wings is a copper alloy wire forming an axis bar on which the pin still freely hinges in the slot. One wing is broken at the end, the break is old and worn and exposes the axis bar. The pin is copper alloy with a flat D-shaped head, pierced to accept the wire. From one corner of the head extends the integral circular sectioned wire pin. The pin tapers in thickness from the head and is broken two thirds of the way along the length with the tip now missing. The unusually short bow extends at 90 degrees from the head and curves over in a semi-circle. It is D-shaped in section with a flat back and highly curved front and tapers in width from the head to the plain rounded point at the foot. The front of the bow is decorated with an indented line with a raised zigzag line within in running down the centre from the head to the foot. In profile the catchplate appears a continuation of the curve of the bow, thinning as it thins to a thin plate at the lower edge which is bent up to form the catch. This is a particularly small example of a brooch, measuring 27.5mm long, 16.7mm in wide including the wings and 8.7 excluding, 17.7mm thick and weighing 10.91g.The form of the catchplate is unusual and it could be suggested this is a repaired brooch with the original foot cut down and a new catchplate hammered out, however the thickening for the cacthplate on the reverse is part of the original casting as is the curve and taper of the bow suggesting the form was original. Bayley and Butcher (2004; 159) describe initial T-shaped brooches as 'usually hinged, not enamelled but sometimes with fine relief decoration and lacking a headloop.' They suggest a Flavian association (AD 69-96). Other contemporary miniature brooches of different forms include SUSS-B45115.