File:Early medieval, Lead alloy disc brooch (FindID 600341).jpg

English: A large fragment of a decorated early medieval cast lead alloy disc brooch dating from the second half of the 10th century.

Jane Kershaw reports:

The brooch carries a variant of the Scandinavian Terslev motif classified by Sunhild Kleingärtner as 'Type 3', with 4 volutes bound by an inner circle, and a central lozenge-shaped field (2007, 62-3, Abb. 10). It differs from the prototype motif in that the ring has additional triangular ring-knot extensions, which fill the space between each volute. In addition, the brooch carries integrally cast pellets both in the central field and in the border scheme. The use of pellets within borders is not a common feature of Scandinavian brooches, but is seen on other Anglo-Scandinavian products, e.g. the Saffron Walden pendants. The flat form of this disc brooch, together with its large size (39mm in diameter) also reflects ninth-century Anglo-Saxon traditions, meaning that the brooch can be classed as a hybrid, Anglo-Scandinavian product. The surviving hooked catchplate on the reverse of the brooch (positioned on the right-hand-side, facing downwards) is also consistent with Anglo-Scandinavian brooches.

An interesting feature is that the volutes and ring are beaded, although this has been rubbed smooth in places. This effect, coupled with the use of cast pellets was intended to emulate the filigree and granulation decoration in which this motif was normally executed. Indeed, within Scandinavia, this motif occurs only on precious-metal brooches, making it likely that the model for this base-metal brooch was originally made using a filigree and granulation brooch as a guide. These, precious metal brooches are concentrated in eastern Scandinavia and Russia, although a patrix used in the manufacture of such brooches is also recorded from Hedeby.

There is one very close parallel for this brooch: an unprovenanced brooch, now in the British Museum (accession number 1989,0303.9). Indeed, the two brooches are so similar that they may have been produced from the same mould or model. Notably, both brooches feature the same, slightly misaligned central lozenge field, while the somewhat off-centre positioning of the 5 pellets within that field is also replicated on both brooches. The brooch from Hampshire measures 39mm, while the one in the BM 42mm, but the Hampshire brooch is buckled, and if flat, may have a larger diameter. A Hampshire provenance is unusual in the context of Scandinavian/ Anglo-Scandinavian metalwork, as most Terslev-style jewellery comes from eastern England.

The Terslev Type 3 motif is dated on the basis of its appearance in hoards to the second half of the tenth century, and a similar date range can be suggested for this piece.

There are a number of engraved lines on the reverse of the brooch, but these don't appear to form any sort of pattern, and can most probably be attributed to plough damage.