Early Etruscan sanguisuga fibula
€325
available
Object number
AR3514G
| Object: |
Early Etruscan sanguisuga fibula
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| Material: |
Bronze.
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| Period: |
Around the 8th cent. BC. Early Etruscan. Sometimes also attributed to the last phase of the Villanova culture. Early Iron Age of Italy. |
| Description: |
The bronze fibula is characterized by its seemingly bloated bow. The voluminous hollow body is wide in the middle and tapers towards the ends to form a wire with a circular cross-section. At the base of the bow, the wire is plated and bent over to hold the pin, while at the head it turns into the pin via a spiral spring. The bow dominates the appearance of the brooch. The top is artfully decorated with geometric patterns. Due to its shape, which reminded archaeologists of a leech (Italian: sanguisuga), this type of fibula is referred to in literature as sanguisuga type. Or in English literature sometimes as leech fibula. Sanguisuga fibulae were widespread around the Alps. It can be assumed that the specimen presented here comes from northern Italy, from the Etruscan region. Comparable finds were made in graves of women, where pairs or groups of four of these fibulae had been placed. |
| Dimensions: |
Approximately 6.1cm x 3.2cm "box size".
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| Condition: |
Excellent condition. The pin is in its original condition, but broken near the spring and loose there, fixed to the catch plate with glue. The body itself is wonderfully preserved and patinated, with clearly visible decoration on the bow.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2023 on the Swiss art market. Previously in the family estate of the collection Prof. Dr. Kurt Alder-Kissling (1927-2019) from Riehen in Switzerland. Acquired by Professor Alder-Kissling in May 1977 in Switzerland.
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| References: |
Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, acc. no. 1991.171.3. Cf. R. Heynowski, Bestimmungsbuch Archaeologie 1, Fibeln (2012), p. 54, no. 3.4.2. Cf. R. Hattatt, A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches, p. 285, fig. 144, no. 200. Cf. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung, ID no. Misc. 7823. Cf. The Israel Museum, acc. no. 92.42.112. |
| Literature: |
We recommend the following book as an introduction and for referencing, R. Heynowski, Bestimmungsbuch Archäologie 1, Fibeln (2012).
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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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