Roman Bronze Stellate or Flower Shaped Enamelled Brooch or Fibula, c3rd Century, Scarce

Description

Material: Enamelled bronze

Period: Roman imperial

Date: 2nd to 3rd century

Origin: Roman provinces

Condition: AVF. remnants of the enamelling is present. the pin is missing as iron is the first thing to deteriorate. One of the knops is reattached so care should be taken when handling. Scarce type.

Description: An unusual stellate bronze plate brooch with flower-like body containing two cells of alternating red and blue coloured enamelling. the pin is missing as is often the case as it was probably made from iron.

Size and Weight: 44mm x 22mm. 8.38g 

References: cf. Hattatt’s ‘Ancient Brooches’ p347

Features and Provenance: Brooches as clothes fasteners have been made since the bronze age. As skills and metallurgy advanced. so did the size and detail of the fibulae. They were still used by the Romans. as buttons were yet to be invented. This type of brooch was an adapted plate brooch and their ornamentation indicated a degree of affluence by the wearer and their delicate structure points at them being used on equally delicate. expensive fabric.   

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn

Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible