Brooch

Villanovan leech fibula (a style of brooch), of the type associated with females. Thick bow, round in section, sharply tapered at ends, trace of short, rounded catch-plate and decoration formed by impressing metallic items into the wax model from which it was cast. Bow is smooth with four wide bands of rough-edged striations possibly formed by wrapping a length of fine thread around the bow (impressions only appear on upper surface); over the mid-point of bow, a small metal boss was impressed to make a small disc-pattern of concentric circles. Lack of hole in underside indicates that a clay casting core remains inside. Missing pin and most of catch-plate.