10th century
Europe: Scandinavia: Sweden: Gotland: Visby: Kopparsvik
The brooch in the form of an animal head made of copper alloy is cast hollow with a riveted back plate on which the remains of the pin fastenings are preserved. The exterior is divided into a lozenge-like grid, the circles of which are decorated with a cast motif of a beast-catcher' derived elements reminiscent of the Broa style and a ring-pointed pattern. The heavy borders are decorated with geometric ornamentation, and the relief 'ears' are covered in a stepped pattern. The "snout" is simple. The surface is partially tin-plated. The pin is absent. The back side shows traces of cloth from the casting process.