Penannular Brooch
Penannular Brooch
A hand forged penannular brooch, perfect for any late Iron Age or early Medieval kit. It can be used to fasten a cloak, shawl, or any other piece of loose fabric. These items are handmade, so no two will be exactly alike. As these are made to order, please allow 3-5 days lead time. They are sealed with linseed oil to prevent rust while still displaying the forge-blackened finish.
Available with simple twisted finials or with a dragon’s head finial. Measure approximately 3” wide by 4” tall. Other designs are possible. Contact us to order a custom, personalized piece.
The penannular brooch was an essential piece of everyday attire in the British Isles from the Roman period all the way through the Viking age. The early Celtic designs were simple, gradually becoming more and more elaborate until they became pieces of fine art in their own right. No Celtic, Romano-British, or Viking kit is complete without one.
Brooches like these were used to fasten cloaks in place around the shoulders. They can also be used on shawls, dress straps, or any other loose piece of clothing or fabric. They could made from iron, bronze, silver, or even gold. For an example of how beautiful and ornate these pieces could be, look at the Tara Brooch.
Our hand-forged pieces start out as 1/4” round stock. They are hammered square, with tapered ends. The finials are then forged to shape; then the whole piece is twisted to create the spiraling pattern. It is then forged to shape. The pin itself is made from 1/8” stock. A sharp point is forged onto one end, while the opposite end is hammered flat and bent around the body of the pin for a perfect fit. Finally, a protective coating of beeswax is smoked onto the hot metal to protect it from rust.
Currently, we offer 2 styles of brooch. If you are looking for something more specific, custom orders are available. Contact us at thornfireforge@gmail.com and let us see what we can make for you!