English: A fabulous and almost complete Roman copper alloy and enamel zoomorphic boar brooch, dating from the 2nd century AD. The pin is missing, as is much of the red enamel which decorates the body.

The sprung pin has two turns; one on either side of a central lug and an internal chord. The axis bar is in place and there is a small amount of iron corrosion. The pin is broken at the second turn of the spring. The curl of the catchplate is mostly missing as a result of an old break and the edge is worn smooth.
The body of the boar has a central cell which is rectangular but with rounded short ends, stretching from the tail to just behind the head. From the head end, a curving line extends (similar to a reversed S-shape) almost dividing the cell in two, except that the opposite end curls back on itself. The upper part of the cell created by this line has a larger area behind the head, while the lower area is larger in front of the tail. In the upper part of the cell are three raised dots on the head-side of the area. Although the red enamel survives only in the lower area of the cell, it is unlikely that another colour was also used as there is no complete division between the two areas.

The head has a ring-and-dot eye, a long pointed snout curving upwards, two ?ears sticking forwards above the eye, and behind these a mane defined by oblique lines. This rises in a curve then drops along the back, curving inwards, rising again above the haunches to create a triangular 'hog's back', now worn but probably also originally with linear-decorated hair. The boar has two feet, one of which is shorter than the other and is worn. There is a short but pointed tail, which is slightly curved and extends to the rear.
In profile, the brooch is bent, though not in any particular direction. The length from snout to tail is c.42mm. The maximum width (hair-to-toe) is 18mm.

The brooch is similar to an example from Aldborough (Bishop 1996, 56 no. 338 fig. 33), but the Burbage example seems to have one large central cell filled with enamel, compared to the Aldborough example which has three. Stylistically, it is very attractive.