File:Anglo-Saxon copper alloy cruciform brooch (FindID 544896).jpg

English: An incomplete Anglo-Saxon copper alloy cruciform brooch dating from the 5th or 6th century. The object consists of the lower part of the rectangular bow with an integrally cast catchplate on the reverse. The lower part of the bow is zoomorphic in form, resembling a the stylised head of a beast. It is triangular in cross section with two moulded eyes and moulded nostrils at the terminal, with two pairs of incised lines (chevrons) in between. Above this the bow becomes half-circular in cross section, decorated with transverse incised lines. The upper part of this section is slightly arched, and the remainder of the brooch and the pin has broken away and been lost. The catchplate projects from the reverse of the brooch and is roughly rectangular in shape, the outermost edge having been bent over to house the pin. The brooch has a smooth, stable mid-brown patina, with some chips and losses to the upper and lower surfaces which may have occurred after burial. There is also a deep groove on the reverse running parallel to the catchplate, which appears to be a casting fault.

There are several complete examples of similar brooches on this database, for example SYOR-029546.

UPDATE (21.11.2013)

The upper half of this brooch was discovered on a subsequent search made on the 28th July 2013 (the lower half was found on the 16th December 2012). The headplate is rectangular and has a border of paired lines. The upper knop is fully rounded and cast integral to the headplate. The side knops are missing. A single lug is located on the reverse, which is covered with iron corrosion. The bow is arched, faceted and decorated with a pair of lines down the centre.