Greek fibula from Italy
€690
available
Object number
AR2996D
| Object: |
Greek fibula from the colonies in Southern Italy
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| Material: |
Silver.
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| Period: |
Second half of the 4th century BC. Late classical to early hellenistic period. |
| Description: |
Ancient fibula with an arched bow and prominent trapezoidal catch-plate. A further decorative sheet was possibly once mounted on the plate. The pin is attached to the body via a spiral. A sphere and rosette form a fruit like ensemble at the foot of the fibula. Lovely brooch and piece of jewellery. It is a type from the Greek colonies of Southern Italy. |
| Background: |
Fibulae were more than just brooches or pins for fastening garments. They were jewellery and status symbol and were worn prominently near the shoulder. This explains the abundance of fashionable styles that can be observed with surviving ancient pieces. They vary with region, era and social background of the wearer. Modern archaeology uses that distinctiveness to quickly attribute an archaeological find whenever a fibula is part of it.
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| Dimensions: |
45mm length.
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| Condition: |
Very good condition. Inlcuding original pin. Part of the catch-plate broken off and missing, another small part missing at the rosette near the foot. Outstanding overall condition with nice dark patina.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2020 on the British art market. Previously property of a British family. Acquired in 1983 from the Swiss private collection of Oswald Burchard. Mr. Burchard acquired many objects from the collection of M. Hess that was auctioned by Hôtel Jura in Basel. It is likely that this fibula originated from the Hess collection as well. |
| References: |
Cf. F. H. Marshall, Catalogue of the Jewellery Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the Departments of Antiquities British Museum, plate XX, no. 1410 (with an earlier date) / museum no. 1824,0434.35.b (currently, as of 2020, dated by the BM in accordance with the date given by us in this description). Cf. J. Paul Getty Museum, object no. 77.AM.120.2, object no. 77.AM.120.3, object no. 96.AM.235. |
| Literature: |
A very good and compact overview on the subject of ancient fibulae is given by R. Heynowski in his book "Fibeln - erkennen, bestimmen, beschreiben" (Deutscher Kunstverlag, 2012, German language).
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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