Medieval Ring Brooch, Bronze

Ring Brooch with blackberry-knots, bronze

Original finds of this type were popular in England during the 13th century AD, but a couple of originals were also found at the continent. Most brooches of this type are rather small, our reconstruction with a diameter of 40mm belongs to the largest pieces.

Symmetric and pennanular brooches survived in many original finds, but they are also visible at medieval statues. They were used to close the garments in front of the breast, the picture below shows the famous statue of  Uta of Naumburg. Concerning the function and the size of the original brooches, it is difficult to fit them direct into the cloth. The original dresses therefore had separate loops.

Handcrafted from bronze with forged pin. Diameter 40 mm.

Lit.:
Hanns-Ulrich Haedecke, Schmuck aus drei Jahrtausenden, Köln 2000
Geoff Egan / Frances Pritchard, Dress Accessoires 1150 - 1450, London 1991