File:Roman Knee Brooch (FindID 233597).jpg

English: A very small copper alloy Knee brooch of Roman date. It is S-shaped and complete with the exception of part of one wing, the axis bar and spring. The brooch has semi-cylindrical wings with circular end plates that have a small circular hole to hold the ends of the now missing axis bar. One wing is missing the bottom half of the end plate due to old breaks. At the centre of the wings is a projecting rear lug with an oval shaped hole. The bow is D-shaped in section and curves sharply to a slightly flaring vertical foot. There is a small semi-circular catchplate. The brooch has no trace of either moulded or applied decoration of any kind. It measures 19.86mm in height, 10.99mm in width, and weighs 2.96g. Knee brooches of this type are in use in Britain during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Bayley and Butcher (2004: pp. 179) note their appearance in military contexts within continental Europe and Britain, but also point out a wider distribution within Britain and usage both for utilitarian and decorative purposes. A similar example to this brooch in terms of minute size and shape can be seen in Hattatt from Oxfordshire (Hattatt, 2000: pp. 335, no. 479), although the current brooch lacks the decorative elements and has a less prominent foot than Hattatt's example. It suggests a date for this example in the mid-late 2nd century AD or perhaps slightly later.