File:Roman zoomorphic brooch (FindID 957390).jpg

English: An incomplete copper alloy Roman zoomorphic plate brooch with enamel and traces of a white metal coating surviving, dating AD c.100-200. It is missing most of the pin and catchplate, and the head and part of the body. The brooch is in the form of a bird, probably a duck. The brooch is sub-ovoid in shape with the tail end narrower than the body. From the widest point of the body rises the curved neck of the bird, oval in cross-section, ending in a worn break where the head is missing. The neck of the bird is silvered or tinned. The body is domed and the edge is worn and irregular, with substantial notched damage to side of the body, near the tail. Decoration comprises four recessed crescent-shaped cells on each side of the body, each containing blue enamel. At the narrow end of the body are two smaller tear-drop shaped cells containing blue enamel. Along the centre of the body is a row of six diamond shapes with traces of silvering or tinning. The remaining areas of the body are uncoloured and a mid-green patina, originally providing a contrast in colours between the metal, silvered areas and enamel. The reverse is concave and undecorated. At the narrow tail-end of the body is the remains of the hinged pin lug, the head only remaining in situ. At the head-end of the object is a worn projection (the remains of the catchplate). For a similar item see Hattatt, 2000, page 360, number 1165.
The brooch measures 29.6mm in length, 16.7mm width at widest point, 4.8mm at narrowest tail end, 16.3mm height, and weighs 5.59g.