The more beautiful and elaborate, and at the same time the richest in effect, of these various forms of fibulæ are those of circular form, which, although found in various parts of the kingdom, are more abundant in the barrows of Kent than elsewhere. The finest of these ever discovered was found in 1771, “near the neck, or rather more towards the right shoulder,” of the female skeleton in a grave six feet deep, ten feet long, and eight feet wide, on Kingston Down, along with some small silver fibulæ, a golden amulet, some small hinges, a chain, some bronze vessels, pottery, and a variety of other articles. This fibula, here engraved ([fig. 443]), which is quite unique, “stands at the head of a class by no means extensive, characterized by being formed of separate plates of metal, enclosed by a band round the edges. The shell of this extraordinary brooch is entirely of gold. The upper surface is divided into no less than seven compartments, subdivided into cells of various forms. Those of the first and fifth are semi-circles, with a peculiar graduated figure, somewhat resembling the steps or base of a cross, which also occurs in all the compartments, and in four circles, placed cross-wise with triangles. The cells within this step-like figure and the triangular are filled with turquoises; the remaining cells of the various compartments with garnets, laid upon gold-foil, except the sixth, which forms an umbo, and bosses in the circle, which are composed apparently of mother-of-pearl. The second and fourth compartments contain vermicular gold chain-work, neatly milled and attached to the ground of the plate. The reverse of the fibula is also richly decorated.”
Fig. 443.
The vertical hinge of the acus is ornamented with a cross set with stones, and with filigree work round its base. The clasp which receives the point of the acus is formed to represent a serpent’s head, the eyes and nostrils of which, and the bending of the neck, are marked in filigree. This precious jewel was secured by a loop which admitted of its being sewn upon the dress.
Another remarkably fine example, found on the breast of a female skeleton in Berkshire, is now in the Ashmolean museum. It measures two inches and seven-eighths in diameter. The base is formed of a thin plate of silver, above which, resting apparently on a bed of paste, is a plate of copper, to which is affixed a frame-work of the same metal, giving the outline of the pattern. The four divisions of the exterior circle were originally filled with paste, on which were laid thin laminæ of gold, ornamented with an interlaced pattern in gold wire of two sizes, delicately milled or notched, resembling rope-work. Of these compartments one is now vacant. This wire ornament was pressed into the gold plate beneath, and there are no traces of any other means than pressure having been used to fix it. The four smaller circles and that in the centre are ornamented with bosses of a white substance, either ivory or bone, but the material is so much decomposed it is difficult to say which; these bosses are attached to the copper plate beneath by iron pins. The entire face of the fibula was originally set with small pieces of garnet-coloured glass laid upon hatched gold-foil. The upper and lower plates of this ornament are bound together by a band of copper gilt, slightly grooved. The acus is lost.
Fig. 444.
Fig. 445.
The magnificent circular fibula of gold here engraved ([fig. 444]) was discovered some years ago in a barrow on Winster Moor, in Derbyshire. It was formed of gold filigree work, which was mounted on a silver plate. It was set with stones or paste on chequered gold-foil, and measured two inches in diameter. Along with this fibula were found the following interesting articles: a cross of pure gold, ornamented, like the fibula, with filigree work, and having a garnet cut in facets set in its centre ([fig. 445]); a silver armlet; two glass vessels, and a number of beads. These and some other articles were all found by the sides of two cinerary urns.