Summary

Trumpet brooch of copper alloy, Romano-British, from Easter Balgedie, Loch Leven, Kinross-shire

Accession Number

X.2015.6

Other references

Original description

F. Hunter note, 2015-10-05: TT/93/14 Unusual variant of a Romano-British trumpet brooch found at Easter Balgedie, Kinross-shire, on the E side of Loch Lomond. Metal detector find. The brooch was intact when deposited although the pin and most of the headloop are now lost, as are parts of the original surface on the bow; the patina is otherwise good. The bow has a central encircling triple-ribbed disc flanked by concave channels and slightly swollen mouldings with marginal incised lines. These were once ribbed, but the decoration has been worn almost to oblivion by extended use. Plain head with some slight casting flaws and an integrally-cast disc with a concave top and central stud which probably once retained an inlay. The disc is encircled by a ribbed band round much of its circumference. Remains of an integrally-cast headloop sprout from the disc. The underside of the head has marginal lugs which hold the copper-alloy axis for a six-coil spring with internal chord. The surface of the D-sectioned lower bow is in poor condition, but it is decorated with a narrow central longitudinal channel and marginal grooves. The foot has two disc mouldings (with one or two marginal lines) and a terminal knob. L 75 mm, W 15.5 mm, H 21 mm. It falls into Mackreth’s type TR. 2.2f (Mackreth 2011, 124, pl. 84 no 5330). Found in a field at Easter Balgedie, on the east side of Loch Leven. No site is known in the area. The intact condition of this brooch suggests it was a deliberate deposit, not a casual loss.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

None

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

2014

Method (e.g. excavation)

Metal detector find

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

Balgedie, Kinross-shire, Scotland, Northern Europe

Grid reference

Not recorded

Acquisition

Acquisition date

2015

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

Agent

Image

None