Bronze Age double Spiral Brooch / Fibula

11
days
17
hours
48
minutes
35
seconds
Current bid
€ 3
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 700 - € 850
33 other people are watching this object
nlBidder 4393 €3
nlBidder 4393 €2
plBidder 3305 €1

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Bronze Age double spiral brooch (fibula) ca. 96 x 43 mm, dating to 1400–1100 BC, in good, well-preserved condition with olive-green patina; acquired in 2025 from a dealer at a fair in the Netherlands, with a partially present pin on the reverse and a Certificate of Authenticity available on request.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

Ancient European Bronze Age double bronze Spiral brooch / fibula. The spectacle fibula is formed from a single bronze wire, tightly coiled into two counter-rotating spirals, connected by two short loops.

Likely used as a dress fitting or decorative clasp, this piece reflects a characteristic Bronze Age aesthetic that emphasised symmetry, spiral motifs, and skilful metalworking. A well-made and attractive example of Bronze Age craftsmanship.

Size: ± 96,1 x 43,3 mm
Condition: well-preserved and solid condition with attractive dark olive-green patina. The pin is partially still present on the reverse. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request.

The spiral is one of the oldest symbols of human spirituality. Spiral motifs appear in ancient carvings and painted rock art dating back thousands of years The infinite, twisting spiral was a favourite of the ancient Greeks and Celts and has continued to influence artists, thinkers and designers for millennia.

It is thought to represent growth, expansion, cosmic energy and a symbol of the sun, and it has been suggested to be linked to birth or rebirth. Spirals have been found in burial sites, in vases, in jewellery, clothing, weapons and buildings.

Throughout history, the spiral has been a highly valued design in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking art, and continues to be appreciated to this day.

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

Ancient European Bronze Age double bronze Spiral brooch / fibula. The spectacle fibula is formed from a single bronze wire, tightly coiled into two counter-rotating spirals, connected by two short loops.

Likely used as a dress fitting or decorative clasp, this piece reflects a characteristic Bronze Age aesthetic that emphasised symmetry, spiral motifs, and skilful metalworking. A well-made and attractive example of Bronze Age craftsmanship.

Size: ± 96,1 x 43,3 mm
Condition: well-preserved and solid condition with attractive dark olive-green patina. The pin is partially still present on the reverse. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request.

The spiral is one of the oldest symbols of human spirituality. Spiral motifs appear in ancient carvings and painted rock art dating back thousands of years The infinite, twisting spiral was a favourite of the ancient Greeks and Celts and has continued to influence artists, thinkers and designers for millennia.

It is thought to represent growth, expansion, cosmic energy and a symbol of the sun, and it has been suggested to be linked to birth or rebirth. Spirals have been found in burial sites, in vases, in jewellery, clothing, weapons and buildings.

Throughout history, the spiral has been a highly valued design in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking art, and continues to be appreciated to this day.

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Details

Culture
Bronze Age
Century/ Timeframe
1400-1100 BC
Name of object
double Spiral Brooch / Fibula
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
The NetherlandsVerified
8998
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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