As with all items in this collection, this artifact is certified authentic and will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance, detailing typology, dating, region, and collection history.
Ancient Roman Bronze Fibula Brooch Clothing Fastener 41mm Authentic
Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance
This ancient bronze fibula dates to the Roman Imperial period and is accompanied by a lifetime authenticity guarantee. The piece originates from an old European antiquities collection and represents a typical personal garment fastener used throughout the Roman world.
Item Details
Object: Fibula (brooch / garment fastener)
Culture: Roman
Date: circa 1st–3rd century AD
Material: Bronze
Length: 41 mm
Description
This bronze fibula is a small garment fastener used in the Roman world to secure clothing such as cloaks, tunics, and military garments. Fibulae functioned in antiquity much like modern safety pins, serving both practical and decorative roles.
The example shows the characteristic curved bow and foot typical of Roman fibula construction. A spring and pin mechanism would originally have been attached to fasten the brooch through fabric. Although the pin mechanism is now lost, the surviving bow and foot clearly show the form of a classical Roman brooch.
Fibulae were worn by both civilians and soldiers and were one of the most common items of personal adornment in the Roman world. They served as both functional clothing fasteners and status markers, with different regional styles developing across the empire.
Archaeological discoveries of fibulae come from settlements, graves, and military contexts, demonstrating their importance as everyday objects in Roman society. Because they were worn constantly and easily lost, fibulae are among the most frequently recovered personal artifacts from the Roman period.
Comparable Examples (Museum Parallels)
The British Museum
Roman bronze fibula brooch
Museum number: BM 1856,0701.1430
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Roman bronze brooch (fibula)
Accession number: 74.51.3014
The Israel Museum
Roman provincial fibula
Accession number: IMJ 82.48.112
Further Reading
Hattatt, Richard
Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts.
Bayley, Justine & Butcher, S.
Roman Brooches in Britain.
Swift, Ellen
Artefacts and Society in Roman Britain.
Condition
Ancient bronze fibula fragment with stable archaeological patina. Pin mechanism missing as commonly found. Bow and foot remain intact, preserving the classic form of a Roman garment fastener.
6-3
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