Details

IPSMG:R.2013.42

Ipswich Collections

brooch, gold annular brooch

A medieval gold annular brooch with animal head terminals, D-shaped in section. It is cast with four animal head terminals, two grip the loop for the pin and the other two grip the flattened section where the pin rests. Each head has two collets for eyes, the settings of which are present in the two gripping the pin loop but missing in the others. The pin is intact and separately cast. It is triangular in shape and has a decorated ridge where the loop meets the shaft and tapers to a point. The reverse is flat and undecorated.This object is part of the West African Gold group as it is similar to objects featured in the Hidden Histories display in Colchester Castle. Many objects of the period were made from gold from West Africa.

1300 - 1400

Medieval

diameter: 16.26 mm
weight: 2.04 g