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This object from the collection of the Hunterian Museum was chosen, and written about, by Rachael Egan, honours student, Department of Classics, University of Glasgow.

This stunning Roman brooch was found in a fort site near the Antonine Wall and clearly belonged to a wealthy inhabitant of Roman Scotland.

I chose this item because I love jewellery myself and like to wear brooches and other accessories. I think it is such a beautiful piece and I am amazed at its survival after so long. I also think that through such items we can learn about what interested the peoples of the time, what was fashionable and things that were important to them. I feel that such information can be found in these luxury items that were not made from necessity.

As the brooch is in such good condition it is not hard to imagine it in its original state, shining bronze with bright red and white enamelling, adorning the clothing of a Scot or Roman in the 2nd century. In fact, I would like to wear it myself!