File:Early-medieval brooch, Disc brooch (Jewelled imitation) (FindID 606908).jpg

English: A worn and incomplete early Anglo-Saxon copper-alloy disc brooch of a type referred to as 'jewelled' or 'keystone garnet', an imitation of a Kentish keystone disc brooch. Avent's (1975) Class 2.1.

The brooch has raised cellular decoration on the upper face that comprises a central ring flanked by three triangular or wedge-shaped cells, extending from the central circle and spaced evenly around its circumference. Between these wedges is an indistinct spiral pattern, probably a highly stylised Style I zoomorph. A border of two concentric lines around the outer edge of the brooch encases all the designs. Small patches of gilding survive. On the reverse of the brooch the pin lug and the catch-plate survive, albeit in a corroded form. The pin is missing. There is no decoration on the reverse and if it was gilded no trace survives. One small edge of the brooch is damaged and bent.

Several examples with a similar decorative style (of a central circle and three wedge-shaped projections) are illustrated in Macgregor & Bolick (1993:70-73) although the majority are silver gilt. Where it survives, the central circular cell in these examples is often filled with a white material (possibly shell or coral), with the wedges encasing garnets. These were obviously expensive brooches and it is not surprising that cheaper versions were made; unfortunately no material survives in any of the cells on this example but other copper examples recorded on the PAS database do retain some of their settings (see, for example, HAMP-9B6151). The materials are glass (usually red) or possibly poor quality garnets with unidentified white material in the centre. One copper alloy example illustrated in Macgregor & Bolick (ibid. p76 no.6.23) exhibits yellow glass settings in three tear-shaped cells. It is likely that this Berkshire example contained glass settings rather than garnets.

This brooch is a clear copy of those made in Kent in the second quarter of the 6th century. Two others recorded from Wiltshire and Hampshire have been dated to c.530-570. For other examples recorded on this database please see CAM-274762, HAMP-9B6151, WILT-F561A1, WILT-6F2B84 and BUC-4B3412. See also IOW-A33D42, IOW-C938C0 and KENT4837.