Brooch

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This enamelled bronze brooch, also known as a fibula, was one of two found together at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. In the Roman Empire brooches of this shape are found only in Britain. They were worn in the 2nd century AD by both Romans and natives.

The brooch is of a special type called a trumpet brooch, due to the shape of the head which protects the spring. It has fine enamel decoration on the body and head. It would have been worn as a pair, linked to its partner by a chain.

Brooches were used to fasten clothing, and are understandably a common find on Roman sites. Trumpet brooches are a fusion of Roman and native influences: they are Roman products, but with native ornamentation or features.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-821-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 764
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Backworth
  Fibula / brooch
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Fibula / brooch
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: One of a pair of trumpet brooches, with enamelling, from the Roman site at Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, pp 322-3, Pl LXXXVI, 13 or 14. 
• Translations:
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