Medieval Bronze Ring Brooch, Lost-Wax Cast Cloak Fastener

"A mantle without a stout brooch is merely cloth waiting to be torn away by autumn gales." Osric, Keeper of the Hearth & Forge

Crafted from solid bronze using the age-old lost-wax casting technique, this 6 cm annular ring brooch reflects the functional hardware worn across Europe from the twelfth through fourteenth centuries. The face features a Latin-inspired inscription, while the reverse retains the subtle, honest textures left behind by manual finishing at the bench. Weighing roughly 45 grams, it carries the substantial heft expected of martial fastenings without dragging heavily upon the garment.

The working pin measures 5.5 cm, cast with a distinctive granulated base modelled after surviving museum artefacts to lend resilience at the pivot. Operation is straightforward: draw a fold of heavy woollen cloak or thick linen mantle through the central aperture, drive the sharpened pin through the gathered weave, and rotate the ring so the cloth locks tight beneath the pin’s tip under counter-tension. Because the pin penetrates between the fabric threads rather than slicing them, your mantle remains sound through hard service.

As each piece is individually cast, tone and surface details vary slightly, granting every brooch distinct character. Bronze demands simple stewardship in the field: wipe away road grit and perspiration with a dry cloth after use, avoid sustained wetness, and treat the metal occasionally with mineral oil or natural wax to sustain its lustrous patina. Fit it to your tunic, cape, or heavy mantle, and trust it to hold through wind and march.