Brooches were considered fashionable items, and types were subject to frequent change during the four centuries of Roman occupation of Britain.

While most Romano-British brooches resembled an elaborate safety-pin, disc and plate brooches of the 2nd century were more like modern badges: the pins pivot in two lugs on the back of the brooch, fastened into a projecting catch.

Plate brooches are often decorated with inlaid glass or enamel, and have special shapes including those of animals, daggers, axes, erect penises, swastikas, cornucopias - in this case, the sole of a shoe. They may have amuletic associations and should probably be linked closely with religion and superstition. The little shoe would originally have been decorated with coloured enamel.

© 1998 Oxfordshire Museum Service, Setúbal Museums and the Benaki Museum