File:Bow Brooch (FindID 205453).jpg

English: Roman copper alloy brooch of Colchester derivative, Polden Hill (Mackreth 2011, Part 3, Group 4.i1, flat wing ends type, West Midlands) and of 1st-mid 4th century AD date The brooch is incomplete and is represented by the head and upper bow and has a surviving length of 29.1mm, a depth at the head of 15.4mm and has a weight of 8.5g. The copper alloy spring was secured with a Polden Hill claw type arrangement. The wings have a width of 18.5mm. The terminals are expanded and are angled slightly to the rear. The expand terminal is decorated with an incised vertical line. The bow has a width of 8.1mm at the head and has a decorative curved moulding. The upper bow is of D-shaped section with straight sides converging towards the break. The bow is decorated with prominent diagonal ribs on each side of a recessed central groove. At the top of the vertical groove, near the head, there is the suggestion of a surviving inlay, possibly enamel, now green-brown. The remnants of the top of the catch-plate are evident on the rear of the bow, above the break. The metal surface is well preserved with a dark-green patina and surviving areas of tinning or silvering.