Details

LOT 0863

Large Roman Gilt Bronze Crossbow Brooch Type 2 with Pin

300-340 A.D.

3 3/8 in. (56 grams, 86 mm).

With collared onion-knop finials, keeled deep bow and short chamfered foot; pin in situ.

Provenance

Acquired in Switzerland, 1997.
Private collection, Europe.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Published

Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 12th March-9th June 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.

Literature

Cf. Humer, F., Kremer, G., Pollhammer, E., Pülz, A., AD 313 Von Carnuntum zum Christentum, Bad Voslau, 2014, n.455, for similar typology of fibula.

Footnotes

The typology of the so-called crossbow fibulae was used mainly among the military (militia armata), but was also employed by members of the ‘unarmed’ civil administration (militia non armata). They can be differentiated by their material of construction, which reflected the status of the wearer. The crossbow fibulae developed mainly between the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th century A.D. Seven distinct types can be identified, based on size, decoration, material, etc. The more massive ones, usually in bronze, are usually pertinent to the 3rd and 4th centuries, and correspond to types 1 to 4 (here type 2).