Roman Bronze Crossbow Brooch

4TH CENTURY A.D.

3 1/2 in. (64 grams total, 90 mm).

With onion-knop terminals, carinated bow with a median band of guilloche decoration; the footplate with ring-and-dot decoration to each end, central guilloche panel with chamfered sides; hinged pin and pierced catch-plate to reverse. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector.
Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, fig.119(7), for type.

Footnotes

The piercing runs through both the body and catchplate. Such alterations, for the attachment of a securing chain or thong, are not uncommon on heavy brooches, but the hole is usually restricted to the reverse (the catch).

CONDITION

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LOT 0757