File:Roman copper alloy T-shaped brooch (FindID 886997).jpg

English: An incomplete Roman copper alloy hinged Colchester derivative initial T-shaped brooch, probably dating to c. AD 50-100. The brooch is largely complete, missing only its pin and right wing, with left wing tip lost to abrasion.

At the head of the brooch, the wings survive to a width of 25.5mm, these are broadly cylindrical, cast, sub-trapezoidal in cross section with a flat front face and retaining an iron axis bar in situ. The front of the wings is decorated with a series of parallel, incised longitudinal lines. The bow expands from the head with a width of 13.8mm and 11.1mm thick, it is plano-convex in cross section, with a pronounced, bulbous central ridge, which terminates below the head. The bow tapers into an unelaborated foot, from the reverse of which expands an integral, unperforated sub-triangular catchplate, 10.8mm in height at its abraded reverse edge. An abraded area above the head may suggest the presence of the abraded, vestigial remains of an integral headloop, but this is unclear.

Dimensions: Length: 48.3mm; width: 25.5mm; thickness: 13.8mm; weight: 20.09g.

The form and minimal decoration of the brooch is consistent with examples initial T-shaped brooches, such as those forms published by Bayley and Butcher (2004: 158-159), which are dated to the Flavian period. If a headloop was present, it would suggest an identification as a Developed T-shaped brooch, with the date range extending into the second century, however the latter largely consists of a relatively standardised repertoire of types and designs.