Roman Horse and Rider Bronze Plate Brooch with Enamelling 1st-2nd Century AD

Description

Material: Bronze with enamelling

Period: Roman imperial

Date: 1st to 2nd century AD

Origin: Roman provinces. possibly Romano-British

Condition: Fine. with remnants of enamelling and detail to the horses mane. 

Description: A small bronze plate fibula shaped as a horse and rider. cells with remnants of red and blue enamelling. although the surface is somewhat corroded the edge detail is sharp and the horse’s mane is well defined. As is often the case with these brooches. the pin is missing as was probably made from iron. catch-plate and hinge in place but partial.

Size and Weight: 31mm x 23mm. 2.9g 

References: cf. Hattatt’s ‘Ancient Brooches’ p359

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 had yet to be invented. This type of zoomorphic brooch is thought to be derived from Celtic patterns of fibula and have been found in Britain and across Europe. The large size of the rider may indicate it is a deity rather than a man and the small delicate size of the brooch may mean it was for show rather than function.

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