ROMAN BROOCH

100

An almost complete, copper alloy disc brooch, probably dating to the Roman period. The brooch is circular in plan with the remains of the lug and catchplate on the reverse. The front consists of an outer border with a raised rope-work style pattern. This border surrounds a thin, circular channel with a bright green patina, which in turn surrounds a wider, circular plate with a mid brown-red patina. A reddish coloured, raised circular ridge separates the plate from a central recessed section. Within this section is a small, raised, circular knop with a bright green patina and a central circular pellet with a red-brown patina. There are the remains of gilding, particularly visible on the outer rope-work style border. The reverse is plain in decoration, but has a shine to parts of the disc which could suggest either silvering or tinning. The catchplate is 'D'shaped whilst the lug is comprised of two copper alloy loops, one either side of a central copper alloy bar, possibly the remains of the pin. Corrosion around the mechanism suggests at least some part of the pin or mechanism was made of iron. It measures 40.9mm in diameter, 4.9mm in thickness at the disc, 10.7mm in thickness including the lug and weighs 26.4g. Hattatt's Visual Catalogue uillustrates similar examples, e.g. fig. 203, no. 521. Similar examples are also recorded on this database, e.g. LANCUM-0A90E5.As this object was found on river branks, it appears to have suffered in opst-deposition and the colours now visible could well indicate a surface treatment such as enamelling or painting which has reacted badly.