Romano-British Bronze Enamelled Fibula with Sea Creatures

£ 650.00

A Romano-British bronze brooch in the form of two sea creatures, possibly fish or dolphins, on either side of a footed vase-like shape. The fish are shown in profile, with curved bodies that widen towards the head. Each creature has a fin on top of its head and a flared tail. The piece is further enriched with circles of blue and red enamel throughout. The reverse of the brooch is plain except for the original hinged pin holder and the catch plate, though the pin is now missing. The fibula has some remnants of its original gilding to its surface.

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Small brooches and fibulae, such this piece, were worn by both Roman soldiers and subjects across the empire. They served both a decorative and practical function, being used to fasten articles of clothing, such as cloaks or togae. They often took on the form of stylised animals, with zoomorphic brooches being one of the most popular designs of plate brooches. Animals were a favoured decorative motif across Roman art, either in association with specific deities or myths, or as popular domestic animals.

To discover more on Roman and Celtic brooches, please see our relevant blog post: Roman and Celtic Fibulae