File:A Roman hinged developed T-shaped brooch. (FindID 973516).jpg

English: An Roman copper-alloy hinged developed T-shaped brooch, probably dating to c. AD 75-150. This brooch is almost complete with only the bottom section of the pin missing along with some detail wear.

At the head of the bow are cylindrical wings now 4.8mm in diameter and 26.3mm wide. These wings are open on each end revealing a pale-coloured material that may be remains of solder within them. There is a central slot between the wings which has a copper alloy axis bar running through it. The axis bar is broken but still holds the top part of the pin hinged by it.. The wings are undecorated apart from a group of 2 incised lines on the front face of each outer end.

The bow projects outwards from the wings before curving downwards. The bow initially expands in width slightly below the wing casing before then tapering evenly to a a pointed foot. It has a D-shaped cross section with a flat back. At the top of the bow the is a small ridge, 5.2mm long and raised 2.3mm above the bow, followed by a second ridge after a small gap, c. 2.5mm, which is 5.7mm long and raised 0.5mm above the bow. Below this are two rows of three groove cut triangles running parallel to each other. These recesses create the effect of two lozenges running down the bow's centre. The upper part of the bow is flanked by decorated ridges which are damaged but appear to have incised lines going horizontally down their length. Along both edges of the bow are incised lines running down to the foot.

The head of the pin remains intact and freely articulates. It is attached to the axis bar with a loop that pierces a triangular head. The pin extends from one corner of this triangle before terminating in an old break. The remaining pin is now 13.9mm long.

The catch plate of the brooch is plain and is placed slightly off centre. It's upper edge curves to meet the inner edge of the bow. Its outer edge curves over 180 degrees to create a groove in which the pin would have rested. It's lower edge is straight and parallel with the base of the foot. The brooch is dark brown in colour with bits of green corrosion.

The brooch is 48.9mm long, 26.3mm wide, 3.5mm thick and weighs 11.46g.

T-shaped brooches are very variable in the decoration on their bows although incised decoration and raised lozenges. Bayley and Butcher (2004, 167) suggest this type is mainly South Western in distribution and dates to the later first - early 2nd century AD (c. 75-150).