MEDIEVAL BROOCH

1200

A miniature medieval brooch, roughly oval in shape, and terminating in two joined hands. The brooch has two facets which carry an enigmatic inscription, punctuated by flowers and colons. Reading clockwise from the pin, the letters areOn the inner band N V I V N: I I M I N IOn the outer band: V I I I T I: I: I - I I V L V I (?)IThe meaning of this is unclear, but may have magical or amuletic significance. The two hands may once have held a pearl, which is customary for brooches of this type.The brooch is gold, and dates from the thirteenth century.