File:Roman Dragonesque Brooch (FindID 559374).jpg

English: Incomplete cast copper alloy and enamel dragonesque brooch. Only the central flat S-shaped bow of the brooch survives and is in a very worn condition with breaks worn entirely smooth. Both the head and tail of the 'beast' are missing which would have included the pin, catch and hinge fittings. The front of the S-shaped plate carries a raised moulded design creating cells for enamel inlay. The design consists of a central recessed roundel with a curved triangular cell above and below, with each triangular cell containing a raised central pellet. Two smaller sub-triangular cells, one curvi-linear in form and the other of equilateral design, frame one side of both of these two larger triangular cells. No traces of enamel remain in the central roundel, which is pierced front to back with a small central circular hole. The purpose of this hole, if not purely decorative, is not clear and it does not appear to be a typical feature of such brooches (although see SWYOR-5B9D30); it is notable that the hole has sharply defined edges with no sign of wear at all and may have been a later modification to the brooch, perhaps following breakage of the pin fitting. The triangular cells all contain slight traces of enamel which now appears as a yellowish-green with traces of red, the original colours are not well-preserved. The reverse of the brooch is flat and undecorated. Overall the item has a dark brown-green patina.

Brooches of this type are dated c. AD 75-175.