Norwegian rosette-brooches of the 3rd century AD: their construction, materials and technique

Abstract

This study of Norwegian rosette-brooches, dated to the 3rd century AD, shows they were made of a range of metals. The intention always seems to have been to apply gold decoration, made with embossed gilded silver sheets with a pattem formed from beaded wire, to a 'white.' object. The gilded silver sheet appears to have been made by two different methods, and the bow and spring were
joined in two ways. The brooch springs were made of drawn silver wire, an occurrence of the technique several centuries earlier than has previously been noted.