Iron Age Silver Fibula Group

$884.07

A mixed group of silver fibulae. Three are formed as an arch of flanged bulbs with collars between them; they have a palmette plaque to one end and a recurved catch plate to the other. The other one is similar, but smaller and with short round-section bow and collar to each end. The largest fibula has a width of 7.1 cm, and the smallest fibula has a width of 3.4 cm.

N.B. Price is for the group of four.

Date: Circa 8th - 7th Century BC
Period: Iron Age
Provenance: From an important Austrian collection; previously acquired on the London market, 1980s.
Condition: Excellent condition.

SOLD

SKU: AS-1726 Category: Tag:

In the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, fibulae (or brooches) were originally used  for fastening garments. They came in a variety of shapes, but all were based on the safety pin principle. The Etruscans were very fond of fibulae, some of which were very large and decorated with elaborate granulation and processions of animals in relief. Roman conquests spread the use of the fibula, which became the basis for more complicated brooches. By the Middle Ages, the Roman safety pin type of fibula had fallen into disuse.

Weight 92 g
Dimensions W 7.1 cm
Metal

Culture

Time Period

Region

Reference: Cf. Hattatt, R. Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts, Oxford, 1989, item 1727.

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