Romano-British Bronze Gammadion Fibula Brooch

$107.35

A Romano-British fibula plate brooch made of zoomorphic heads, perhaps symbolising a dragon or snake, in the formation of a gammadion. The original pin remains intact but immobile. Patination covers the surface.

 

Date: Circa AD 43 - 410
Condition: Fine Condition. Pin immobile.

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SKU: SA-29 Category: Tags: ,

Fibulae or brooches were originally purposed as garment fasteners in the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers especially, wore fibulae as 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 are a multitude of fibula designs in Roman culture, this particular brooch involves the gammadion symbol. The gammadion or ‘tetra-gammadion’ is constructed from the four Greek gamma (Γ) letters. In ancient times these four terminals represent the four cardinal corners of the world and the guardianship of the earth.

 

Weight 9.5 g
Dimensions L 3 x W 3 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

,

Reference: For Similar: The British Museum, Item 1874,1228.4