Circa 3rd-4th Century AD
Today we are pleased to offer a splendid Ancient Roman "Crossbow" fibula, which is considered the most complex of the many fibula types. Furthermore, it is thought to have been a status symbol that indicated high military rank.
Our example is of exceptional workmanship and a pedigree 60-year provenance.
This gold-gilt bronze crossbow fibula is a large, sturdy highly developed and ornate example of the type. The p-shaped bow has a rope pattern in relief at its base. Six spirals in relief on each side of the foot and a niello rope pattern down its center. The crossbar, with a pair of vertical perforations on each side, has a stepped form terminating in faceted so-called onion-shaped knobs. A third onion shaped knob serves as the head of the brooch.
Approximately 50% of the original gold gilt and 50% of the original pin preserved.
There are some remarkable examples in museum collections in solid gold. Gold-gilt bronze fibulae were no doubt a more affordable alternative for the discerning legionary commander and fine examples are rare on the market.
Very impressive example. Don't let this one get away.
Provenance: Impeccable! Ex-Christies Antiquities London, April 28, 2004, #391. Also, formerly in the Heidi Vollmoeller (died 2004) collection, acquired in 1960. Vollmoeller was an antiquities collector and became a renowned dealer in Switzerland in the 1950s. To her credit, over 70 museums worldwide acquired works of art from her dealership.
Published: We discovered this item has been published in Antiker Schmuck, Gold und Silber, Galerie Heidi Vollmoeller, Zurich, 1982, #76.
Dimensions: About 2.25" (5.5 cm) long.