EARLY MEDIEVAL BROOCH

450

Anglo-Saxon cast copper alloy button brooch with a gilt surface. Button brooches are circular in shape and resemble miniature saucer brooches, although the relationship between these two brooch classes is not clear. This brooch is an example of Avent and Evison Class L, a particularly small class of button brooch. It has a diameter of 9.5mm, all other measurements are unknown. The brooch is in good condition with a complete, upturned rim. The upper surface is decorated with a face-mask motif, but unlike other classes of button brooch, the face is in profile. There is a single eye and cheek, with further decoration of a raised limb or jaw opposite. There is a raised, concentric circle surrounding this design. The pin is missing, however there is a significant of iron corrosion around the pin lug, suggesting the pin was made from iron. The catchplate is also in tact. The angles of the pin attachments are unknown.