Fibulae or brooches were originally used in Ancient Greece and in the Roman Empire for fastening garments, such as cloaks or togae. The fibula designs developed into a variety of shapes, but all were based on the safety-pin principle. Most pins were produced from bronze or iron however, precious metals such as gold have been used, owned by those of a higher status to demonstrate their wealth and power.
The brooch itself can take many different forms and decorations, birdlip type brooches derived from continental brooches, attesting a local, native British adaptation of fibula design. Characterised by a small trumpet head, they are especially distinguished by a projecting flange above it. They appear to have been a short-lived variation, with the vast majority having been recovered around the South-East coast of Britain, possibly indicating a Gallic influence on their design.
