Roman gilt crossbow brooch
Price: on request
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Object number
AR3371
| Object: |
Roman gilt crossbow brooch
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| Material: |
Silver with partial gold plating.
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| Period: |
175 AD to 300 AD. Later Roman Imperial period. |
| Description: |
Roman brooch of the crossbow brooch type. A distinctive, almost semi-circular bow ends in a spatula-shaped footplate with a central rib. On the head two crossbars with spiral windings and a decorative knob at the front. The original pin and hinge are preserved, with a catch plate integrated into the foot.
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| 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 shapes and 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: |
62mm long, 31mm wide.
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| Condition: |
Great condition. Three out of four end caps on the two crossbars missing. The original pin and springs have been preserved. Remnants of the original gilding are still clearly visible on the silver surface.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2022 on the German art market. From the estate of the famous collection of Leo Mildenberg (1913-2001), which was previously in Germany and Switzerland. Acquired into the collection in the 1970s.
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| References: |
Cf. R. Hattatt, A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches, fig. 227, no. 1263. Cf. E. Riha, Forschungen in Augst 3, Die römischen Fibeln aus Augst und Kaiseraugst, plate 49, type 6.3, no. 1426. |
| Literature: |
A superb 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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