MEDIEVAL BROOCH

1300

A complete silver medieval annular brooch. The frame is oval, with a small pin constriction, situated at the 12 o'clock position. The frame is flat. The pin survives intact; it is formed from a flat, tapering piece of silver, which loops around the frame. The loop is pressed shut, via an open loop - there is no detail on the pin. On the upper surface there is an inscription, which has been crudely engraved into the surface with a pointed engraving tool. When viewed through a hand lens the letters have been constructed with continuous punch marks. The inscription starts next to the pin with a star, which indicates that this is the start of the legend. It appears to read (in French) *CIL:A MON VI:[RIA:LEM-ME], the meaning of which is unclear. The reverse is flat and undecorated. Annular brooches with inscriptions, false lettering or decoration are most probably of fourteenth century date. An example from medieval London with a religious inscription can be seen in Egan and Pritchard, 2002, p254, Fig:164, no:1337.Discussion: This type of silver brooch is of a type that is frequently reported as Treasure, under the Treasure Act 1996. In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. A similar silver annular brooch can be seen in the Treasure Annual Report 2004, p99, Fig: 161 (Treasure case 2004 T31), it was found in Birdbrook (Essex).Dimensions: 16.9mm (length), 13.5mm (width), 0.8mm (thickness of frame), 13.2mm (length of pin).Reference: Egan, Geoff and Pritchard, Frances. (2002). Medieval Finds from Excavations in London:3 Dress Accessories c.1150-1450. London: The Boydell Press. p254, Fig:164, no:1337.Treasure Annual Report 2004. 2004. London: DCMS p99, Fig: 161 (Treasure case 2004 T31).J P Robinson Curator of Medieval Collections and Liz Andrews-Wilson Finds Liaison Officer (North & East Yorkshire)