Our selection for "Antiquity of the Week" is this very small but remarkable Romano-British rabbit brooch with surviving traces of a tin coating (to resemble silver) and enamel decoration.
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| http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/i506.html |
CULTURE / REGION OF ORIGIN: Roman England but of Continental origin.
DATE: 1st or 2nd Century AD
DIMENSIONS: 2.3 cm (0.90 in.)
DESCRIPTION: A remarkable and very uncommon type of Roman rabbit brooch, of the so-called "Rabbit with Young" type - so named because the 2 cells in the surface each form of a small seated rabbit. These rabbit cells still contain traces of the original red enamel fill, while the surface around them shows remains of tinning. The animal's front and back legs are delicate and clearly represented, with an overall naturalistic body. The tiny head is now missing. The back is flat and undecorated with the hinge and catch plate for the now missing pin still present. The UK Portable Antiquities Scheme's vast database contains only 11 examples of rabbit brooches, found in England but mostly of Continental origin, probably from Gaul, and only a few of these are the "Rabbit with Young" variety. A tiny, remarkable and very uncommon type at a very reasonable price.
PROVENANCE: UK metal detecting find, declared not Treasure and legally exported.
COMPARISONS: For a nearly identical example, also missing part of the head and the pin, see the UK Portable Antiquities Database at www.finds.org.uk, Unique ID: SF-D91D84
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