Irish Celtic - Penannular Brooch - Walters 542341 - Back Detail B

Pins of this kind developed from Roman models and were fashionable as cloak fasteners from the 4th through the 10th centuries in the British Isles. The wearer pierced the fabric with the pin pointed upwards or to the side and twisted the round hoop (described as penannular because it takes the shape of an incomplete circle) to lock the pin and gathered fabric in place. Originally, this early medieval Irish brooch would have had red enamel in the hollowed out areas making a richly colored background for the bronze spirals on the terminals and the hatched and oval decorations on the pin.