File:Roman anthropomorphic plate brooch of probable continental origin (FindID 873763).jpg

English: An incomplete cast copper-alloy continental plate brooch of Feugere's type 24d, dating c. 50-125 AD. The brooch takes the form of two opposed pelta or crescent shapes with four projecting 'arms' (now heavily abraded in old damage) with a raised circular boss at the centre of the plate and a projecting anthropomorphic head extending from its apex, separated from the main body of the brooch by a prominent transverse collar. On the rear face of the brooch, the remains of a catchplate is sited on the projecting head, with an incomplete double-lugged pin hinge (the pin itself missing in old damage) at opposing end of the object. Preserved in relatively poor condition with an uneven brownish patina, it measures 29.99mm long, 19.24mm wide at its widest point, and 1.41mm thick at its midpoint. Where the catchplate extends from the rear face of the brooch, it measures 9.38g, and the entire object weighs 4.77g.

This brooch belongs to the small series of similar anthropomorphic plate brooches first discussed by Feugere (2009), who notes two similar examples- one of which is unprovenanced and the other being from Ouhans in Eastern France. No others appear to be known from Britain and this is apparently the first of this type to be recorded with PAS.

Reference:

Feugere, M. 2009b. Figuratives: nouvelle formes de fibules skeuomorphes, anthropomorphes et zoomorphes d'epoque Romaine. Instrumentum no. 30.