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This copper-alloy fibula brooch was found by a metal detectorist in 2019, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, and recently appeared as a star find in the Portable Antiquities Scheme Annual Report (see here). The brooch features a human face design or ‘mask’, and although other mask brooches, or ‘maskenfibel’, are known on the Continent, with a particular prevalence in Germany, this is the only known example to be found in Britain.
Traditionally maskenfibel date to the early La Tène period of the Iron Age, in the 5th-4th century BC. There are clear stylistic differences between this brooch and the Continental maskenfibel – the loop is much more circular and the overall style has less of the fluidity common to the early La Tène culture – making it truly one of a kind. As such, precise dating is difficult but it may be an insular example inspired by the use of masks on other object types found in Britain.
The ‘mask’ aspect of the brooch features a human face on the hinge end, characterised by large, bulging eyes. There is also a thin cut at the top of the head to depict the hairline, as well as further lines to represent combed-back hair. Past the hairline there is a raised oval platform. Other mask fibulae commonly feature a zoomorphic design at this end, and this example might represent a snake with raised spiral lines.
The hinge, pin, and catch-plate appear to have been deliberately broken off sometime in antiquity. This, in combination with its find location near to a river course, suggests the possibility of a ritual depositon.
For more information about this brooch, see https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1059052 or search for GLO-9F9843 on the PAS database. The brooch can also be seen on display at Corinium Museum in Cirencester.
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 more than 1.5 million finds, visit https://finds.org.uk. Information for this find was provided by James Harris – Collections Officer, Corinium Museum.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Images: Corinium Museum
