File:Early Medieval square headed brooch (FindID 1026599).jpg

An incomplete Early Medieval Great-Square Headed brooch dating to circa AD 575-600. Most of the brooch is extant save for the lower portion of the footplate, one footplate side lobe one upper corner of the headplate, each of which were the result of ancient breaks. The brooch is sub-rectangular in plan.  The headplate has a raised 'L' shaped border area on the remaining upper left corner. Traces of the same design can be seen emerging from the break in the now missing upper right corner. The lower corners and frame of the headplate are decorated with lateral rows of punched ring. Incised chevrons, surround the second panel. The second panel is comprised of a thick border decorated with centrally placed punched dots. The motif in the inner panel is comprised of two inter-linked animals. Each head is decorated with a ring-punched eye and open outwardly curving jaws in the top left and bottom right corners.  Their bodies fold over one another with their hind legs extending along the sides. Their clawed feet are angled inwards so as to contact the opposite body.  

Emerging from the headplate is the bow, C-shaped in section, which is decorated with a deep central hole which would have held a small decorative disc which is now missing. The bottom hole is filled with an intact rivet.  

Emerging from the bow is the broadly circular footplate complete with one intact circular side lobe. Thee design of the footplate is incised. The lower motif is a Style 1 animal with head in the centre and limbs around set inside an incised double lozenge. Above is a pair of addorsed birds, their necks extending upward. A row of punched annulets are visible on some of the raised elements between the incisions.

The reverse is flat. The reverse of the head plate contains two projecting lugs for the hinged pin, which is survived slightly be significant traces of iron corrosion. The catchplate emerges from the reverse of the footplate It is rectangular in section, comprised of a thin sheet folded inwards at the top.

Traces of silver applique are visible on the headplate.

The design on the brooch is consistent with Hines’ Group XVII (1997: 133-141). Penn and Bergmann note that Hines Groups XVI-XVIII are defining elements Phase FB2, dating to between circa AD 550-575. A similar example on the PAS is recorded at SF-D77DB4.

Length: 73.6mm; Width: 50.2mm; Thickness: 2.7mm; Weight: 52.18g.