EARLY MEDIEVAL BROOCH

450

Anglo-Saxon cast copper alloy button brooch with a gilt surface. This brooch is an example of Avent and Evison Class Aii, similar to Biffrons 6.2. Button brooches are circular in shape and resemble miniature saucer brooches, although the relationship between these two brooch classes is not clear. The brooch is 20mm in diameter, the thickness and weight are unknown. The brooch is very worn on decorative border and has some wear on raised surfaces. The extent of gilt that remains on the surface of the brooch is unknown, due to identification from a black and white photograph. This brooch has a missing rim, with partial remains on the lower right hand side, the surviving edge of the brooch is very worn. The upper face is decorated with a face-mask motif, which is comprised of 7 different elements. There is a pointed helmet with a series of circular punchmarks running along its length. Immediately below the helmet are curved eyebrows with slightly upturned ends, which are joined in the centre to a wide nose that flares out at the nostrils. The eyes are relatively large and rounded with curved eye-rings below; although both eyerings are well placed, the left eye-ring is less curved. The oval shaped cheeks are full and almost completely rounded. The face has a narrow, slightly open mouth, with both the curved upper and lower element of the mouth being of the same length. There is further decoration surrounding the face-mask, which is comprised of a flat decorative border containing a ring of beading on the inside edge, and a further ring of small circular punchmarks towards the rim edge. The reverse of the brooch is unknown; its details were not recorded with the original PAS record.