Roman Inscribed Bronze Bow Brooch

With collared onion-knop finials, keeled deep bow and short chamfered foot; pin in situ. 56 grams, 86 mm



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.

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).

Restrung using mainly small oblate and cylindrical beads, central feature a tooth-shaped yellow glass pendant. 5.1 grams, 39 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Of squat profile with dimples to the equator, gussetted neck, broad mouth with rolled and everted rim; dimple to the underside. 73.2 grams, 80 mm high



From the estate of a late Sheffield, UK, lady, thence by descent 1960-1970; latterly a London, Mayfair, UK, collection. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.