Pin

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Pin

Entry/Object ID

L.2021.106

Description

Pin of bronze with baluster head and mouldings on its upper part, from the Roman site at Newstead, Roxburghshire, 80-180 AD

Use

Accessory likely used to tie back and style hair or to fasten clothing. Roman pins were used primarily for hair and dress. They are found in a wide variety of materials. They often feature some type of decoration ranging from simple designs to having highly decorative heads.

Context

One of several pins found during James Curle's excavations. Found near the Baths at Trimontium.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Category

Pin
Jewellery

Acquisition

Accession

X.FRA 721

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums Scotland

Notes

Loan

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Hairpin

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Ornament, Hair

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Hair Adornments

Nomenclature Class

Adornment

Nomenclature Category

Category 03: Personal Objects

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Previous Accession Number

Other Number

III.15.94

Dimensions

Length

3-11/16 in

Material

Bronze

Color

Brown, Green

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Web Links and URLs

Artefact page on NMS Scran, Artefact page on the National Museums Scotland website.

Exhibition

Permanent Exhibition

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Caption

Label

Women used hairpins to hold their hair in place. Examples of their elaborate hairstyles can be seen on the busts of emperors’ wives in our display of silver coins. Ornate bead necklaces were also worn, although single stray beads only hint at their former appearance.