Kentish great square-headed brooch

Brent 1866, 180: This fibula is about five inches long, and of bronze gilt, (the reverse, however, has apparently been silvered.) The four corners of its upper compartment are set with square garnets, and an oblong garnet forms the centre, surrounded with a thin edging of silver. Elaborate devices not uncommon in these relics are chased along its edges and borders. The lower part is of a complicated and very elegant pattern. An edging of thick chased silver wire has apparently once run round its outer edge, as is the case with other fibulae ofthis pattern. Only part of this remains. These large cruciform fibulae are not uncommon in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries; the greater number are of bronze, sometimes washed with gold, but mostly without the addition of stones or ivory.Silver gilt great square headed brooch, about 5 inches long. Reverse side silver plated. Catch plate separated from brooch in original find, and silver wire edging damaged. Found by left side.Length 12.5cm. Catchplate - beaded wire frame missing. Illustrated in KAS catalogue.