LOT 0334

Large Gothic Silver-Gilt Fibula

BOSPHOREAN CULTURE, 5TH CENTURY A.D.

8 1/8 in. (67 grams, 20.7 cm).

Comprising: a semi-circular headplate with a ram-head knop at the apex and applied gilt projections at the sides forming part of the spring mechanism; deep keeled bow with a petalled finials; keeled subrectangular footplate with a rounded finial and a tapering catchplate below.

L. De Clercq collection, Belgium, 1980s.
Ex private European collection.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 13013-246783.

Cf. Ambrose, A.K., ‘Problems of Early Medieval Chronology in Eastern Europe. Part I (in Russian),’ in SA, 1971, no. 2, pp. 96-123, fig.3 (5), for the type of fibula; ‘Ajbabin A., ‘I Goti in Crimea (secoli V-VII) [The Goths in Crimea (5th-7th centuries)’ in I Goti (The Goths), Milano Palazzo Reale 28 gennaio- 8 maggio 1994, (Milan Palazzo Reale 28 January-8 May 1994), Milano, 1994, pp.110-135, figs.II.28 (p.25), II.35.

These types of fibulae were mainly found in female burials and were placed on the right side of the chest and on the left shoulder. It was from this period that the custom of wearing wide belts with buckles and a pair of brooches on the shoulders spread along the south-western Black Sea coast, having originated among the Germanic tribes of the western Roman provinces.