Pair of Small Saucer Brooches, and Pair of Animal-Shaped Gilt Bronze Fittings, from Barton Court Farm, Abingdon, Oxfordshire: 6th century AD

Saxon occupation on the site of the late Romano-British farmstead villa at Barton Court Farm outside Abingdon, took the form of sunken huts in the 5th century, and post-built buildings in the 6th century. The contents of the nearby graves of the Saxon community seemed to belong to the 6th century.

The grave of a young middle-aged woman of 30 to 35 contained a selection of jewellery and ornaments, including rings, pins, a brooch and fancy fittings. The gilded, cast bronze saucer-shaped brooch (and its mate found subsequently) is almost exactly like others found in the area and was probably made locally. Pairs of brooches like this, suspending beads and pinned to outer garments like cloaks, were standard West Saxon female attire in the 6th century. The designs show the continuing influence of native Romano-Celtic metalwork.

The pair of gilt-bronze animal-shaped fittings are much more unusual. Little animal-shaped fittings - birds, fish and other creatures - have been found as decorations for the face of shields in Saxon graves in Kent and East Anglia. Perhaps they were traded or exchanged as gifts to Oxfordshire, where they could have been re-used on a belt this lady may have worn.