Bronze Boss, Birrens

Found by a metal detector, this object is most likely a roman boss made entirely from bronze. Circular in shape with a central pin behind this boss was most likely worn as a brooch.   Decorative pieces from clothing, horse harness and armour Copper alloy objects were often tinned or silvered. Tinning simply requires the object to be dipped in molten tin. Silvering was achieved by beating out silver foil and attaching it to the object with lead/tin solder. Tinning was used for helmets, scabbard and belt fittings, cavalry harness and even armour. Silvering was used on cavalry equipment. Dagger sheaths were sometimes decorated with silver, brass or gold inlays. From the second century AD onwards enamel inlay became popular.