Bath, penannular brooch
Gilded brass version of the "Bath brooch" from the temple of Sulis Minerva in Bath.
7cm ring and 8cm pin.
Zoomorphic brooch dating from late 4th or early 5th century.
The ring is decorated with cut lines. The terminals are filled with resin to simulate the enamel from the original
On the right is a predatory bird observing a fish, possibly a salmon while on the left,
a predatory bird is depicted in profile looking over its shoulder at a jagged, linear
feature. The bird on the left terminal is standing with its head and curved beak
inclined towards the fish below. On one leg the talon is extended and touches the
body of the fish. The wings are splayed out slightly from the shoulders in a predatory
stance. The tail is not visible. The second bird is standing in a non-flight position.
The bird’s chest is prominent and curved and its body is rendered with small,
reserved, upwardly curved lines following the contours of the body and wings,
suggesting feathers.