Roman, Britain, Imperial period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A pretty example of one of the most distinctive artifact types from the interplay of Roman and Celtic culture: a bronze brooch with inlaid enamel in white, blue, and green. The brooch is round, with a central, raised boss that may have called to mind the wheel of a chariot for its maker and wearer. Eight flat, rounded projections resembling the spokes of a wheel jut outward at regular intervals from the edges of the brooch. On the back, there would once have been a pin and clasp to fasten it. Size: 1.5" Diameter (3.8 cm)

Brooches were used to fasten the ubiquitous clothing item of cold, damp Roman Britain - the cloak - and were an essential part of the Roman wardrobe for centuries. In southern Britain, the technique of enameling developed ca. 200 BCE from the use of coral and then opaque red glass to decorate bronze, silver, and gold objects. Once the Romans colonized Britain from 43 CE, they became enamored with the enamel style and used it on many small objects, the most popular of which was the brooch. The development of different colors of enamel allows us to date these pretty objects. Blue was one of the last colors to enter the decorative palette and places this brooch in the late 2nd century CE; the use of three colors then limits it to approximately before the 3rd century CE, when style shifted so that brooches became predominantly just blue and white.

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-collection of Lord McAlpine, West Green, England, UK

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#179534

Missing pinning on verso and losses to enamel. Weathering with nicks and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice presentation with liberal remaining enamel and rich patina throughout.