Enamelled bronze brooch

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This enamelled bronze brooch, also known as a fibula, was found at the important hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian.

The brooch is of a type called dragonesque, which is found in both Roman and native contexts in northern Britain and Scotland, but only rarely on the Continent.

Fibulae were used to fasten clothing, and are understandably a common find on Roman sites. Dragonesqure brooches are a fusion of Roman and Celtic influences: they are Roman products, but with Celtic ornamentation. They were often worn in pairs.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-917-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 35
• Date: Deposited between 410 and 425 AD
  
• Material: Bronze; dragonesque; enamelled
  Brooch, fibula
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Brooch, fibula
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Roman dragonesque brooch of enamelled bronze, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Johns, Catherine. The jewellery of Roman Britain. Celtic and Classical traditions. London: UCL Press Ltd., 1996, pp. 151-3. 
• Translations:
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