Anglo Saxon Bronze Ansate Brooch c8th Century

Description

Heading: Anglo Saxon bronze Ansate brooch c18th century

Material: Copper bronze

Period: Anglo-Saxon

Date: c8th century

Origin: Britain

Condition: About Very Fine with dark patina, pin missing.

Description: An equal ended or ansate brooch with two discs connected by a median bow, decorated with pelleted chevrons and rims and a central knop. Scars are visible where the catch-plate and pin-lugs had been, these along with the pin have corroded away, as they were probably made from iron.

Size and Weight: 43mm, 8.41g

References: cf Hattatt Fig 1684

Features and Provenance: Detectorist find from Norfolk

Buttons did not exist at this point in history only brooches and clothes fastenings made of metal or bone were the norm. The Romans had previously introduced a variety of fibulae or brooch types based on a crossbow type form,  by the 5th century they were adapted by the Saxons and introduced them to England. Ansate brooches appear to have originated on the continent during the seventh century and been adopted in Britain slightly later during the eighth century before increasing in popularity here during the following two centuries.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn

Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible