Medieval Decorated Bronze Ring Brooch

This is a complete medieval bronze ring-brooch, dating to the 13th century AD. Ring-brooches are the most common type medieval brooch to survive and had a practical function: to fasten tunics, especially at the neck. Shaped as rings, with a long central pin, these brooches varied enormously in size and could be tiny, smaller than a fingernail. Ring-brooches were made of costly gold or silver, or of much cheaper copper or pewter. They were worn mostly until the late fourteenth century when changing fashions in dress included more closely tailored clothes and the growing use of button fastenings.

This example is decorated with a wide band, engraved with a geometric design. The pin is original and intact, though quite thin. This would have once secured fine fabrics. A nice example with a dark green patina.

OBJECT: Ring-brooch

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 1200 - 1300 AD

MATERIAL: Bronze

SIZE: 19.98mm x 1.36mm

WEIGHT: 1.4 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. North Yorkshire Collection.