A choice and varied collection of eight Romano-British cast copper-alloy plate brooches (fibulae), several retaining traces of their original champlevé enamel inlays in red, blue, and white, all preserved together in a fitted antique mahogany / rosewood velvet-lined display case with brass clasp. The group represents a small typological cabinet of the principal disc, geometric, and zoomorphic plate-brooch families that flourished in Roman Britain during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, comparable to types illustrated in Richard Hattatt's standard reference volumes.
An S-shaped / dragonesque scroll brooch with twin volute terminals — Northern British / Brigantian specialty, cf. Hattatt 1989 nos. 1196–1208, c. 75–175 CE; A Zoomorphic horse / hound plate brooch — cf. Hattatt 1987 nos. 1099–1112, originally enamelled, c. 150–250 CE’ An openwork wheel brooch with six radiating spokes and central hub — cf. Hattatt 1985 nos. 487–498, c. 150–250 CE. Along with an almond / vesica-form plate brooch with red and dark champlevé enamel and lateral pellet bosses — cf. Hattatt 1989 nos. 1145–1162, c. 150–250 CE; An openwork swirl / triskele disc brooch with peripheral pellet rim — cf. Hattatt 1987 nos. 1075–1088, c. 150–250 CE. A six-pointed star / rosette enamel plate brooch with central blue-and-white boss — cf. Hattatt 1985 nos. 526–540, c. 150–250 CE. A lozenge / diamond plate brooch with central enamelled boss and surviving pin-head lug — cf. Hattatt 1987 nos. 1130–1142, c. 150–250 CE; And lastly, a concentric-disc brooch with central enamelled boss and surrounding ring of pellets — cf. Hattatt 1985 nos. 470–486, c. 150–250 CE
Construction & Surface: Cast copper alloy (leaded bronze) with original integral pin-lugs and catch-plates on the reverse; several pieces retain visible champlevé enamel inlays in red, blue, white, and traces of yellow. Stable green-brown bronze patina with selective verdigris and earthen accretions consistent with archaeological recovery.
Condition: Very good archaeological condition for the type. Pin-springs missing on most examples (typical), with catchplates and pin lugs intact. Enamel survives in significant patches across at least four of the eight pieces. Mounted in a fitted mahogany/rosewood velvet-lined case, likely a 20th-century antiquarian collector's case.
Comparable Romano-British plate and dragonesque brooches are illustrated extensively in Hattatt 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989 and are held in the British Museum, the Yorkshire Museum, the Museum of London, and the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
Provenance: From the estate of Jacques (1921-2023) and Frances Crampon (1922-2025). Captain Crampon was born in Belgium, joined the Merchant Marine, and eventually became a Captain in the US Navy, on search and rescue ships. He and his wife, Frances, a singer and actress, met when she was on a USO tour to Japan. Together they traveled the world, living for several years in Tokyo and Capetown. They were avid collectors of Asian, pre-Columbian and ancient and fine art.
