Identifying Romano British Bow Brooches
By Alloverover
Brooches are the most common Roman metal finds after coins, so it is quite possible you will find them if you haven't already. The photos are mainly my finds although a few are not, these are just the basic types you can expect to find, not by any means an exhaustive list, I have gone with the order used by Richard Hattatt in his first book, Ancient and Romano British Brooches.
Dates used are a guide, obviously there were early examples and some brooches would of continued to be used far longer than they were in fashion.
La Tene III
From around 50 BC to the 3rd quarter of the 1st Century, so its pre Roman invasion, worn by the Britons if you want to call them that, a Celtic brooch, made from a single piece of copper alloy.
Colchester Type
Early 1st century AD to 3rd quater of that century, so again pre invasion,
Dolphin Type
50-125 AD
So named because from the side they look a bit like a Dolphin in the water
These can have a sprung or hinged pin
So named because from the side they look a bit like a Dolphin in the water
These can have a sprung or hinged pin
Polden Hill Type
Basically like a dolphin but with a different type of spring and housing, similar to on this Knee Brooch. Quite a regional variety, most common in and around Somerset, but have been found all over .
T Shaped (Tapering Bow) Brooch and Saw-fish Derivative
Mid 1st to mid 2nd Century AD
Headstud Type
From the invasion getting more popular in 2nd Century
Named after the distinctive stud on the head of the brooch
Named after the distinctive stud on the head of the brooch
Langton Down Type
25-75 AD
Instantly recognizable by its flat reeded bow, first type with an enclosed spring
Instantly recognizable by its flat reeded bow, first type with an enclosed spring
Lion Bow Derivative
1st Century AD
Aucisa Type
Invasion - 80AD
So named as some examples have the makers name inscribed on the head of the brooch,the most common being AVCISSA which is a Celtic name.
So named as some examples have the makers name inscribed on the head of the brooch,the most common being AVCISSA which is a Celtic name.
Hod Hill Brooch
Invasion- 70AD
There are many different types of this brooch, many are tinned.
There are many different types of this brooch, many are tinned.
Bagendon Type
1st half of 1st Century AD
Should have a very arched bow, unlike my flat example.Iron pins run horizontaly through the bow with a decorative knob on either end.
Should have a very arched bow, unlike my flat example.Iron pins run horizontaly through the bow with a decorative knob on either end.
Bow and Fantail Type
50-150 AD
This example is a silvered Maxey Type.
This example is a silvered Maxey Type.
Trumpet Brooches
50 BC-175 AD
Many variations, some enamelled, most have an Acanthus flower moulded on the bow
Top, Kraftig-Profiliert, Pannonian type.
Many variations, some enamelled, most have an Acanthus flower moulded on the bow
Top, Kraftig-Profiliert, Pannonian type.
Trumpet Headed Brooches
Mainly Middle 2nd Century AD
Includes Fly Brooch
Includes Fly Brooch
Knee Brooches
Mid 2nd - Mid 3rd Century AD
Mainly military use, large area behind the pin for lots of material
Mainly military use, large area behind the pin for lots of material
From the 3rd Century, Crossbow brooches were used (I never found one) and they in turn evolved into Saxon Cruciform types .
Crossbow Brooch, courtesy of Tomo 3rd-4th Century
Crossbow Brooch, courtesy of Tomo 3rd-4th Century
So these are the main types of Bow Brooch, many others exist along with many types of plate and disk brooches, but that's another story!
Many thanks to Alloverover for allowing me to upload his guide to this site
Many thanks to Alloverover for allowing me to upload his guide to this site