Ancient Roman Fish Fibula
08
days
22
hours
17
minutes
31
seconds
Current bid
€ 39
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 200 - € 250
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 Bidder 3037 | €39 |
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Ancient Roman fish fibula in bronze with silver/niello inlays, original from the 1st–2nd century AD, in good condition and about 39.4 mm long with a green patina.
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.
A rare Gallo Roman bronze fibula in the shape of a fish with silver / niello inlays. Finely detailed features of the eye, scales, fins and tail with delicate punched details on the body.
-> The delicate details on this fish-shaped brooch highlight the skill and attention to detail that was prevalent during this era. This fibula not only served as a functional accessory but also symbolized status and style among its wearers.
Good and solid condition, appealing smooth green patina, some deposits of iron from the pin (missing), some remains of the original silvering/tinning still present. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Length: ± 39,4 mm
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Tinning served both a practical and cosmetic purpose. Tinning objects made them look silvery while it also provided rust prevention, making maintenance easier for Roman soldiers.
The process of tinning involved wiping a thin layer of tin onto a bronze or other metal surface, transforming its appearance and enhancing its durability.
Through archaeological evidence and historical accounts, we can glimpse the wide range of objects that underwent this tinning process.
-> In the Roman period, fish were associated with abundance, prosperity, and sustenance, reflecting their importance in daily diet and trade. They also held symbolic value in religious and cultural contexts, sometimes linked to fertility and the life-giving properties of water. In later Roman times, the fish gained additional significance as an early Christian symbol (ichthys), representing faith, salvation, and spiritual nourishment.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
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.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* 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.
A rare Gallo Roman bronze fibula in the shape of a fish with silver / niello inlays. Finely detailed features of the eye, scales, fins and tail with delicate punched details on the body.
-> The delicate details on this fish-shaped brooch highlight the skill and attention to detail that was prevalent during this era. This fibula not only served as a functional accessory but also symbolized status and style among its wearers.
Good and solid condition, appealing smooth green patina, some deposits of iron from the pin (missing), some remains of the original silvering/tinning still present. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Length: ± 39,4 mm
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Tinning served both a practical and cosmetic purpose. Tinning objects made them look silvery while it also provided rust prevention, making maintenance easier for Roman soldiers.
The process of tinning involved wiping a thin layer of tin onto a bronze or other metal surface, transforming its appearance and enhancing its durability.
Through archaeological evidence and historical accounts, we can glimpse the wide range of objects that underwent this tinning process.
-> In the Roman period, fish were associated with abundance, prosperity, and sustenance, reflecting their importance in daily diet and trade. They also held symbolic value in religious and cultural contexts, sometimes linked to fertility and the life-giving properties of water. In later Roman times, the fish gained additional significance as an early Christian symbol (ichthys), representing faith, salvation, and spiritual nourishment.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
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.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* 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
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
Fish Fibula
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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.
