EARLY MEDIEVAL BROOCH

500

An incomplete copper-alloy early Anglo-Saxon miniature bow brooch, very worn. Only the head and part of the bow survive. The worn head has small integral knobs and no trace of a central panel or any decoration can be seen. On the back face of the head there is a pin lug, again worn; it is off-centre and above the junction of the head meeting the bow. The bow has two transverse grooves across its top and has a D-shaped section. Due to the semi-circular headplate (which is shared with Frankish radiate-headed brooches) this brooch could be classed as a miniature radiate-headed brooch. However, the headplate does not have the multiple radiating knops around its circumference which gives the radiate brooches their name. Continental brooches of a similar form have been termed 'miniaturefibeln' or miniature brooches. A further study on these small semi-circular headed brooches is needed to understand their relationship with other brooch forms from this period; at present we have a number on the PAS database, mostly from Kent and the Isle of Wight, including KENT-625842, KENT-09C753, KENT-4442, LVPL747 and IOW-A55C77. It measures 32.24mm in length and 21.58mm in width across the head.