File:Roman copper alloy zoomorphic brooch (FindID 492735).jpg

English: A Roman, copper alloy horse and rider brooch, measuring 49.22mm in length, 15.94mm in width, and 12.74mm in depth. The brooch weighs 11.97 grams, and although it is fairly complete, it is in a worn condition.

The brooch depicts the profile of a horse and rider facing to the right. The rider is leaning backwards slightly, and although most facial features have been eroded, there is still evidence of grooves denoting what is either a peaked hairstyle or helmet, as well as the outline of the face, including the possible depiction of a beard or chin strap of the helmet. Unusually there is also a small circular indentation which could be suggested to denote an ear. Four of the eight cells incorporated in this brooch are on the sub-triangular body of the rider; two large oval cells on the lower body, a small circular cell in the region of the rider's elbow, to the right of which is an angular cell highlighting two vertical spikes. The raised division between these cells represent the arm of the rider holding a vertical object. This object as seen in the 'Baton Holder' type of horse and rider brooch has variously been argued to be either, (the eponymous) baton, a sword, or a riding crop.

The horse, as with the rider, is slightly worn but again retains evidence of physical features suggested through grooves. It is possible to make out the outline of the horse's mane, as well as the flowing hair of its tail. The horse's face is narrow and ends in a pointed snout. The horse has two (rather short) legs; the front leg is curled ahead of the main body, and the back leg is set vertically with a small forward curve at its hoof. This leg position suggests a powerful forward canter. The four cells on the horse's body are dominated by a thick linear cell running the length of the body and ending in a hook on the horse's back leg. The chest of the horse contains two circular cells, before a vertical linear cell. The division between the two linear cells is arguably a depiction of the rider's leg. All of these cells display remnants of degraded red enamel.

The reverse of the brooch is missing much of the pinning mechanism, including the pin and most of the lug. The cathcplate however, is relatively intact.