Fibulae or brooches were originally purposed as garment fasteners in the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers especially, wore fibulae as a decorative piece to keep their cloaks together. These brooches replaced straight pins that were used to fasten clothing in the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age. Fibulae are the most common artefact-type in burials and settlements throughout much of the continental Europe. Their modern day equivalent are the trustworthy safety pin.
There were a multitude of fibula designs in Roman culture. Dragonesque type brooches attest to the cultural complexity of Roman northern provinces, where Celtic and Classical culture converged. They combine traditional Roman zoomorphic plate brooches with local styles of decoration, including the curving animal heads and bright enamelling typical of Celtic art.
