Fibulae were brooches used in the ancient world for fastening garments. Fibula designs developed into a variety of shapes, but all were based on the safety-pin principle. Bow-brooches with a spring and catch-plate, like a safety pin, replaced pins as dress fastenings. One-piece bent wire brooches were originally derived from cloak pins, and in different areas went through countless variations of shape by twisting the metal into all sorts of decorative spirals and bends, ending up with highly arched bows to allow ample room for folds of material. This fibula is made of bronze. An alloy of copper and tin, yellow or brown in colour, it is harder than pure copper, more suitable for casting, and is one of the earliest metal alloys known.
Roman Bronze Anchor Fibula
£ 95.00
A Roman bronze fibula brooch with a central anchor motif. The brooch displays a flat body leading to the spring and original pin, now fixed in place. The foot features a rectangular catch plate and a small knob at the end. The anchor is decorated with three small circles. The pin is slightly cracked and now shorter than the catch plate.
Provenance: Ex important German collection of brooches, 1980s.
Condition: In good condition, with some encrustations. The pin is broken near the clasp, and bears a superficial crack.
In stock
| Weight | 6.6 g |
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| Dimensions | L 4 x W 3.1 cm |
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