English: A Roman copper alloy zoomorphic brooch depicting a lion and dating to the 2nd century AD. The brooch has been cast to form a lion advancing left on a thin strip. On the reverse are twin perforated lugs which secure an axis pin around which the pin articulates. The catchplate is also present on the reverse. The lion is depicted in profile with all four feet on the ground. The mouth is formed by a V-shaped notch and the eye is a simple dot. The mane is depicted by a double band of wavy lines bordered by straight incised lines. The shoulder and the front and rear forelegs are slightly raised and there is a groove which separates the tail from the body. The end of the tail curves over itself forming a small loop from which another element may have been suspended. All four feet are resting on the "ground" which is represented by a thin strip decorated with transverse stamped lines.

A similar brooch is illustrated in Hattatt (2000:363 no 1195) which shows the lion advancing right instead of left and the orientation of the tail is slightly different. Hattatt suggests a date of 2nd century AD for these type of brooches. Lion brooches are also recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database e.g. SWYOR-0E2A45 and LEIC-751965 which shows a lion jumping or pouncing and BUC-3CD563 which has cells for enamel.

Dimensions: length: 48.43 mm; width: 19.86mm; thickness: 14.72mm; weight: 14.53g.

Reference: Hattatt, R. 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books., Oxford