File:14th century brooch (FindID 947899).jpg

The frame is broadly ovoid with a D-shaped cross-sectioned with a flat back and convex front. The pin is attached around an indented bar and at the opposite side a pointed outer edge where the pin rests. The front of the brooch is decorated with two double-headed beasts (which look very canid) separated by the loop and pin rest.

The heads have squared snouts with pellet eyes set in slight depressions on either side. The ears are pointed and upright behind the head. The bodies are finely decorated with pellet decoration possibly meant to depict fur. The pellet decoration extends to the pin rest. The brooch is mostly a silver colour with some slight faded pale gold patches particularly visible on the reverse of the brooch.

Measurements: to come

Discussion: From '2014T856' "This style of this [annular] brooch is securely dated to the medieval period - specifically the 13th Century - with excavated examples being recorded from London (Egan and Pritchard 2002: 247-255). Very similar silver examples to this brooch with zoomorphic [decoration variously described as] dragons [or wolves] albeit also with gem settings [dividing the beast's bodies] have been reported and declared treasure specifically from Tolpuddle, Dorset 2011 T724 (<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/469757">DOR-142926</a>), Mildenhall 2004 T176 (<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/64681">SF-527EB7</a>) and Mid Suffolk 2002 T49 (<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/35798">SF8229</a>)", also from Arlingham, Gloucestershire 2014 T856 (<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/651473">HESH-497CD5</a>). A particularly close example without gems was recovered Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, 2011T724 (<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/591023">DOR-5CC922</a>).

Conclusion: It is therefore clear that this assemblage dates to before 1719 and as the object is made of more than 10% precious metals, it constitutes potential Treasure under the stipulations of The Treasure Act 1996.