Author Description

This, the fourth and final volume describing brooches in the author's collection, was published in 1989 but quickly sold out. It has now been reprinted. The book contains over 300 new brooches, ranging from the Bronze and Iron Ages through the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods to Medieval. Most are from Britain with others from the continent and the Near East. The emphasis is upon the unusual and less common types. Several new minor types are recognised as are some regional peculiarities. Quick reference to types of brooches is provided by a visual catalogue of the drawings of nearly 1700 brooches from this and Richard Hattatt's previous three books. There are also some comprehensive brooch date charts, and a section summarising the types and distribution of penannular brooches. The second part of the book contains over 250 other artefacts, mainly items of personal adornment, toilet articles, dress fasteners and ornaments, seal-boxes and locks, surgical and dental instruments, votive models and many other artefacts. Several are of artistic interest, and a few are unique items of some archaeological importance. All the objects, both brooches and other artefacts, are carefully described and illustrated with the author's own drawings.