brooch;
bow brooch
- Museum number
- 1989,0601.194
- Description
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Unusual copper alloy bow brooch of unknown type. Of a form that could be La Tène I or II in type. The whole brooch is formed from two pieces of copper alloy wire with interlinked looped heads. The long straight bow curves down very slightly towards centre has a sharp bend at the shoulder and knee. The head of the bow wire is bent round to the right to form a loop through which is hooked the enclosed loop of the pin head. The foot end of the bow wire is bent into a U shape to create a hooked catchplate in which the kinked end of the pin sits. The pin is longer than the bow. Dark, slightly brownish green patina; smooth condition.
- Dimensions
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Length: 61.14 millimetres (bow length)
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Length: 76.65 millimetres (overall length incl. pin)
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Weight: 7.10 grammes
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Thickness: 2.29 millimetres (bow thickness)
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Thickness: 2.51 millimetres (pin thickness)
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Width: 2.75 millimetres (bow width)
- Curator's comments
-
Part of a large hoard of copper-alloy artefacts dating from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Discovered by a metal detectorist, possibly at Batheaston, and dispersed for sale. It is thought that all of the artefacts are from a single, hoard dating to the Iron Age period.
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Conventionally known as the Batheaston hoard, research by Ian Stead suggests that the findspot for this material is in South Wiltshire, probably in the vicinity of Wyelye, although other locations have also been suggested. (See I. M. Stead, 1998, The Salisbury Hoard, pp.121-22).
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1989
- Acquisition notes
- Lot 220 in Sotheby's sale of Monday May 22nd 1989.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1989,0601.194