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This Birdlip brooch was found by a metal-detectorist near Catterton in North Yorkshire this past June, and is believed to date between the late Iron Age and early Roman period.
Birdlip, or Beaked Bow, brooches date from between 30 BC and AD 60, and there are two known types: hinged and sprung. This is a hinged piece, which suggests that it is a later example. Such brooches are believed to be a British variant of the Continental Flugelfibel brooch and, while they are variable in appearance, these items are all characterised by a flanking hood, straight upper moulding, and a projecting ‘beak’.
This brooch is complete besides its pin, and is made of copper-alloy. It measures 55mm long and 14mm wide, and is comprised of a tubular head which extends out from an upper and lower bow. The upper bow is decorated with a double transverse ridge, below which projects the brooch’s characteristic upturned ‘beak’. The lower bow, which extends back below the head, is complete with a rounded point. The catchplate is on the back of the lower bow.
It represents the second Birdlip brooch to be found in North Yorkshire this year. Another, less complete and less well-preserved, example was found in May near Camblesforth in Selby (see http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1213857 or search for LVPL-7526F1 on the Portable Antiquites Scheme database). Like the Catterton brooch, it had a hinge mechanism, suggesting it dates to a similar time period.
For more information about the Catterton brooch, see http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1208605 or search for YORYM-434B13 on the PAS database.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is an initiative to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. For more information on the Scheme, and to browse its database of almost 1.8 million finds, visit www. finds.org.uk. Information on this find was provided by Rebecca Griffiths – Finds Liaison Officer for North and East Yorkshire.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: York Museums Trust
