Large Early Iron-Age Spectacle Fibula

£ 1,950.00

A remarkable spectacle fibula dating to the Early Iron Age. The fibula is made of a continuous bronze wire wound in different directions forming two spirals. The wire gradually tapers in towards the centre, leading the eye inward.  On the reverse, one end of the wire would have curved upward to form the pin, which is now missing, while the other end twists upwards to catch and secure the pin. From archaeological evidence, such fibulae were pinned on each shoulder to hold the garment.

Diameter of each spiral: 10cm

Date: Circa 11th–7th century BC
Period: Early Iron Age
Condition: Excellent condition. The piece is mostly whole except for the missing pin. The surface is covered with blue-green patination. The fibula is mounted onto a custom-made stand.
SKU: CES-35 Categories: , Tags: ,

Spectacle (or spiral) fibulae have been found in a large area of Central-Eastern Europe, from Switzerland to Black Sea, and from Baltic to the Aegean and Southern Italy. The chronological spread is also wide, going from the late Bronze Age to the fifth century B.C.  In several types of such fibulae the two main discs would have been separated by two loops, making a figure-eight shape in the middle. These brooches would have been formed by beginning in the center of one spiral and working outward, then creating the second spiral from the outside in.

Weight 812.9 g
Dimensions W 20.1 x H 17.3 cm
Metal

Bronze

Region

Central Europe, Southern Europe

Reference: For a spectacle fibula, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 37.11.18

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