Casgliadau Arlein

The brooch is characterised by its spring arrangement which is of the Developed Polden Hill type, with a pierced lug at the head to secure the external chord and pierced discoid terminals to the side wings to support the axial bar of the spring. The bow is of thin D-shaped cross-section with a flat back and in profile describes an even curve over its upper half with a slight recurve to the leg, which terminates in a knobbed foot. The tapering bow is plain save for a plain narrow margin down each outer edge; these margins are carried up onto the side wings to either side of the head and the outer edges of the side wings show evidence of each having had a single plain moulding. The brooch is in poor condition, the bow having been broken just above the catchplate and the narrow outer margins partly eaten away by damage and corrosion.