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Details
LOT 0967
Roman Silver Horse Head Whorl Brooch
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (10.8 grams, 37 mm).
A swastika-shaped fibula with horse-head decoration, each head with punched ring-and-dot eye, a similar motif to the centre, catchplate and pin hinge to verso. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985.
From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.
Literature
Cf. Petcu, R., ‘Swastika-shaped fibulae with horse-head decorations (Almgren 232) from the Roman period in Dobrudja (Moesia Inferior)’ in Studia Antiqua et Archaeologica, 25(1); pp.113-122, fig.4.
Footnotes
In the 3rd century A.D., several examples of fibulae in the shape of four horses’ heads forming a swastika (type Almgren 232) seem to be related to the creation of the Illyrian cavalry corps in Roman army. Many examples of these military fibulae were found in ancient Roman Dacia (Romania), in Roman Illyricum and Moesia.
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