Early Romano-British 'La Tene III' Bronze Brooch

Circa 1st Century BC/AD

Description: This early Roman brooch is distinct because of its single-piece construction. It is simple in form and sturdy. The brooch consists of a slightly arched bow, flat in section, with decorative rectangular box. The bronze is worked to a narrow foot and turned slightly forward. It is made flat behind in order to serve as the catchplate. At the top of the brooch, this same single piece of wire is coiled around four times to the right, wrapped under the head of the brooch, coiled around four times to the left, and then wrapped straight down. It is sharpened at the end and serves as the pin.

La Tene III type brooches are generally small and simple with minimal decoration. They were extremely popular around the 1st Century BC-AD and identified today as what must have been the “common man’s” brooch in antiquity.

Height: 1.75 in. (4.5 cm)

Condition: Intact, including the spring and pin, except for a decorative tip which was probably once on the end of the foot.

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of William D. Heimbach of New England.

Reference: See Iron Age and Roman Brooches by Richard Hattatt, p. 20-24 for the type. Hattatt writes that the type evolved on the continent in the 1st Century BC-AD and made its way into Britain with the influx of the Belgae. Nearly all are found in the southern part of Britain. They are never hinged, nor are they cast, rather they are made by forging providing for a stronger pin.

Price: $ 150

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