File:Iron Age , Involute Brooch (FindID 786139).jpg

In profile the brooch comprises a circular ring head with a raised median circumferential ridge bearing swirled mouldings obscured by wear.

A circular sectioned bow extends from the front of the base of the head and is steeply curved resulting in a reversed C-shape. The join between head and bow is decorated with a raised knop featuring an S-shaped trumpet coil design. The bow itself bears opposing lobe-like mouldings to the upper surface.

At the base of the bow an extended ovate everted foot panel projects, curving backwards and narrowing again to a circular sectioned shaft. The shaft terminates in a worn break. The reverse of the bow and the projecting shaft are joined by an integral rod. A half-moon moulding is present at the junction between bow and foot and the foot proper is decorated with swirled triskele design.

An integral circular sectioned pin extends from the back of the circular head, tapering in diameter to a worn point and is seated behind the ovate foot plate.

The metal has a pitted green patina and is worn. The brooch is 52.1mm long, 14.9mm wide, 15.7mm thick and weighs 12.3g.

Invoulte brooches are commonly made of iron and have been found in the Arras Culture region of the East Riding and Humberside such as the Wetwang Chariot Burial (British Museum catalogue number: 2001,0401.21).

H.E.M. Cool confirms that "brooches such as this are an Iron Age form in use during the 2nd and 1st century BC and were probably in existence by the end of the 3rd century BC (Harding 1974, 188-9)" (<a href="http://thehumanjourney.net/html_pages/microsites/cotswoldweb/text/sknbmetalsmallfinds.pdf">http://thehumanjourney.net/html_pages/microsites/cotswoldweb/text/sknbmetalsmallfinds.pdf</a>).

Similar examples have been recorded on the database as SWYOR-B18B81 and SWYOR-399938 and one is also illustrated in Hattatt (2007), p.289, no.229.