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Early fibula from Magna Graecia

Price: on request
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Object number
AR2996C
Object: Greek fibula from the colonies in Southern Italy

Material: Silver.

Period: C. 8th century BC to 7th century BC.
Geometric period.

Description:    Ancient fibula with a round bow and L shaped catch-plate. A geometric design is punched into the plate. The pin is attached to the body via a spiral. Extension slightly bent upwards at the foot, possibly once used to mount further decorative elements.
Lovely brooch and piece of jewellery. It is an early 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.

Dimensions: 46mm length.

Condition: Great condition. Inlcuding original pin. A small part of the catch-plate is broken off and missing, the body is slightly deformed there. Nice dark patina.

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: Similar British Museum, no. 1905,1201.26, no. 1960,1101.46, no. 1867,0508.173.
Cf. J. Paul Getty Museum, object no. 80.AM.159.3.

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).

Authenticity: We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.