700-year-old silver brooch on show at museum

[Kev]

A SILVER brooch which fell to the ground more than 700 years ago has been discovered near Newton Abbot.

The medieval brooch, dated between 1270 and 1350, is now on temporary display at Torquay museum after being declared treasure at a recent inquest.

It was buried seven inches below ground in a field and was discovered by metal detector enthusiast Malcolm Copley.

He said: "I thought at first it was a metal buckle but a silver brooch is a lot better."

The find was the subject of a treasure trove inquest in Torquay on Friday, November 18.

Danielle Wooton, Devon archaeological finds liaison officer, told the inquest that the brooch was a 'fine example of its kind'."

She said: "I found a similar example in a very famous reference book and that one is not quite as nice as this one. This one is silver and it is faceted to catch the light."

Ms Wooton said that the brooch was worn as a fastener and was most likely worn by a wealthy person.

She said: "We do not know how it got there, whether it was lost or came loose.

"That is the mystery and why finds like this are so exciting."

The inquest was told that Mr Copley, a member of metal detector clubs in Torbay and the South Hams, had discovered the brooch in fields belonging to farmer Anthony Rew.

The finder and landowner will retain ownership of the brooch after museums did not express interest in acquiring it for their collections. It will be on display at Torquay museum until Saturday, November 26.

[rjm]

WOT - No picture? 

[Kev]

  sorry bob, there is no picture