Roman 4th-5th cent. A.D..Gold, bronze, carnelian. W. 3.3 cmThe high-domed oval of the brooch's outer face is fashioned of gold sheets, its overall surface ornamented with superimposed rows of wave-like scales in fine filigree. At its centre, a plain polished carnelian stone is mounted in a high-collared setting, bordereded at its base with a pattern of dotted circles. The whole is attached, with its edges folded over, to a flat bronze plate to whose underside is fused a coiled hinge assembly, sprung pin and catch for fixation to a garment. Intact; bronze plate lightly encrusted.Formerly priv. coll., Germany, 1970's-1980's.