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 A, an exact sub-classification cannot be attributed as the brooch has been identified from a poor quality photograph, and is unavailable for study. Weights and measurements are also unavailable. The brooch appears slightly worn; however this is unclear due to the quality of the photograph. The extent of gilding that remains on the surface is unknown. The rim of the brooch is missing, leaving a central face-mask motif and a decorative border. The face-mask motif is comprised of 7 different elements. There is a pointed helmet with upturned ends, with small punch-marks or beading running along its length. The eyebrow element is situated directly below the helmet, however its exact shape cannot be determined, the same is true for the nose element, due to lighting levels in the photograph. The eyes appear to be rounded with curved eye-rings situated below. The cheeks are full and rounded. The open mouth appears to be off centre; however this could be due to a shadow on the photograph. There is further decoration surrounding the face-mask, which is comprised of a flat decorative border with a ring of relatively large circular punchmarks. The details of the reverse of the brooch are unknown as they were not recorded on the original PAS record