English: Lead alloy possible brooch. Hollow cast model apparently representing the head and bow of an Early Roman bow brooch at 1:1 scale. The types intended might include versions of a hinged Colchester Derivative brooch (e.g. Mackreth type CD H 10.e.) with an especially wide and fluted crest to its bow. The fluted bow also recalls the Langton down brooches. An axis bar appears to protrude from the ends of a widened fluted head whose decoration is continuous with that of a bow of hollow D section. As presented, the object lacks mechanical strength and, in this case, a hinged pin or spring to permit the brooch to operate is also absent, along with the catch plate; the top of the bow ending on a plain slightly curved edge. A trace of copper alloy corrosion appears within the hollow body - the closest the object comes to presenting any evidence for a lost fastening.

First, this may be a trial piece or model of Roman date, or possibly a symbolic replacement for a brooch. The latter is occasionally encountered, though mainly in post-Roman (Anglo-Saxon) burial contexts. Against this, the technique of hollow casting is not usual in the Roman period - it is more familiar to this reporter in the form of early 20^th-century 'tin soldiers'. The omission of fastening gear would distance the object from its putative family; and the good surface condition would suggest a more recent date. Secondly, this may be a 'Billy and Charlie' imitation of a Romano-British brooch form in an easily cast material, omitting the complexities of the pin gear. While the floruit of these imitations was later 19^th-century, North-East Lincolnshire has seen a revival of the manufacture and distribution of lead alloy fakes, mainly coins, in recent years. Another possibility, reluctantly admitted, is that the object is completely unrelated to brooches, and is some different class of object altogether, perhaps, for example, a tankard handle fragment.

On balance, this object seems likely to be of relatively recent date, whatever it may be. If a recent imitation, the proximity of Ermine Street may have tempted its maker or distributor. Suggested date: Unknown, Roman to Modern, 100-2010.

Length: 48.9mm, Width: 24.8mm, Thickness (crest of bow): 8.7mm, Weight: 18.50gms