File:Late Iron Age Birdlip type brooch (FindID 715644).jpg

A Late Iron Age cast copper alloy Birdlip type brooch with the pin and the top of the head missing dating from 30 BC to AD 60. there is a unpatinated and seemingly fresh break at the top where the head and pin have been lost. The remaining section of the head is has a rectangular sectioned ridge down the back and a central, prominant, narrow ridge on the front with a curved and angled 'hood' either side. This sections curves at 45% then terminates at a collar. The collar is an oval disc projecting on all sides, 8.2mm by 8.9mm.

From the collar, the bow descends for 4mms then splits into two. One half curves forwards then upwards to form the birdlip or beak, the other part curves down continuing the bow to the foot. The beak narrows along its length to a point, the upper face is plain but the lower face has a raised triangular ridge down the centre defined by broad grooves to either side.

The bow has a flat front with two broad grooves running down the length leaving narrow ridges to each side and down the centre. On the back of the bow the rectangular ridge continues down the centre, as on the head. At the foot this ridge curves out and thins to create the catchplate. The catchplate is triangular in plan with a curved top edge, straight lower edge where it meets the foot and semi-cylindrical curled over outer edge creating the catch for the pin. The catchplate is openwork with three sub-rectangular holes cut in it in a row. At the foot the brooch narrows to a circular projection rivet on which is a seprate copper alloy disk forming the foot. The brooch is very fine, the moulding crisp and it is green in colour. It is; 43.8mm long, 13.7mm wide and 4.8mm thick; it weighs 5.81 grams.

Birdlip, or Beaked Bow, brooches date from 30 BC to AD 60. Both hinged and sprung examples are known, this example was probably sprung suggesting it is earlier in the time range. Birdlip brooches are thought to be British variants of the continental Flugelfibel brooch (Bayley and Butcher 2004:148). They tend to be highly variable in their decoration. In general the flanking hood, straight upper moulding and projecting beak gives a zoomorphic appearence.