File:Early-Medieval , Brooch (FindID 766280).jpg

A fragment of a gilded silver brooch of early medieval date. The fragment comprises the foot-plate and part of the terminal of an unidentified type of bow brooch (see 'Discussion' below). The foot-plate is sub-ovate and the terminal is zoomorphic. Both the upper and lower edges display worn breaks.

The plate fragment has a raised outer border decorated with a series of incised triangular cells and a smaller pointed ovate ridge around a central cell. The panels within each of the two borders are decorated with geometric designs. The uppermost portion of this decoration has been lost to an old break.

The zoomorphic terminal features transverse pointed ovate cells to either side of a raised Y-shaped brow. Two smaller concentric pointed ovate ridges are present within the cells, representing eyes and pupils. The lower portion of the terminal has been lost to an old worn break.

Gilding remains over the decorative surface of the brooch, most noticeably around the raised ridges. The reverse of the main plate is flat though the reverse of the zoomorphic terminal bears a deep hollow.

Dimensions:

Length: 35.5mm

Width: 24.7mm

Thickness: 2.9mm

Weight: 6.3g

Discussion:

The fragment derives from an early medieval bow brooch, possibly a square-headed, radiate-headed or pincer-head brooch of Merovingian production. Brooches with similar plates, terminals and decorations are held in the British Museum's collections, for instance ML.3551 from near Vitry-le-François, and 1891,1019.84 and 85, and 1891,1019.86 and 87, all from Pontoise in France. These have been dated to the sixth century.

Dr Dot Boughton, Finds Liaison Officer for Lancashire and Cumbria, has commented that the fragment could be part of a Merovingian brooch of Visigothic or Langobardic style, common in the Middle Rhine area, dating from the 4th-6th century AD. Parallels can be seen in brooches from Grave 634 at Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl (Fuchs 2001, 240 Ill) and radiate-headed brooches in Bertram (1995), Tafel 2.

Date: Fourth to sixth century

Conclusion:

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.

References:

Fuchs, K., 2001. Die Alamannen Ausstellungsprojekt. Stuttgart.

Bertram, M., 1995. Merowingerzeit: Die Altertümer im Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte. Berlin

Author:

Rebecca Griffiths

FLO for North and East Yorkshire

Portable Antiquities Scheme

Contributor:

Dr. Sue Brunning

Curator, Insular Early Medieval Collections

The British Museum