Roman Bronze Penannular ‘Type C’ Fibula

The penannular style brooch was a simple and effective way to secure garments especially in an age when many garments were comprised of sheets of fabric formed into dresses and tunics through complex folding. They also served the vital purpose of securing one’s clothes in place. Thus, the popularity of this design spanned across a large period of time. They were worn by men, usually at the shoulder and on the breast of women with the pin pointing upwards. In later years more elaborate designs began to develop, as well as the use of more precious materials such as silver, this would have been used to display one’s wealth and societal status