Ancient Roman, Republic Silver Fibula
Opens 18:00
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 550 - € 700
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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.
Very rare type solid silver Roman-Hellenistic fibula which consists of a straight solid silver bar with 3 protruding knobs, the head slightly curved.
-> Fibulae were essential dress fasteners throughout the Greco-Roman world, used to secure garments such as cloaks and tunics. Silver examples were less common than bronze and reflect a more elegant and prestigious form of personal adornment.
± 65 x 20,3 mm
Good and solid condition. Appealing patina. Complete with pin (rigid) and catchplate. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Fibulae were among the most important accessories in Roman dress, combining practical function with decorative value. They were used by men and women alike, and their forms varied widely according to date, region, and fashion. While many were made in bronze, silver examples held a more special place and were often chosen for their more refined appearance and higher status.
Roman brooches could indicate personal taste, regional identity, and sometimes even social standing. Knobbed and moulded bow forms such as this show the Roman preference for structured, balanced ornament applied to useful everyday objects. Pieces like this demonstrate how even ordinary clothing fasteners could be transformed into elegant items of wearable metalwork.
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.
Very rare type solid silver Roman-Hellenistic fibula which consists of a straight solid silver bar with 3 protruding knobs, the head slightly curved.
-> Fibulae were essential dress fasteners throughout the Greco-Roman world, used to secure garments such as cloaks and tunics. Silver examples were less common than bronze and reflect a more elegant and prestigious form of personal adornment.
± 65 x 20,3 mm
Good and solid condition. Appealing patina. Complete with pin (rigid) and catchplate. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Fibulae were among the most important accessories in Roman dress, combining practical function with decorative value. They were used by men and women alike, and their forms varied widely according to date, region, and fashion. While many were made in bronze, silver examples held a more special place and were often chosen for their more refined appearance and higher status.
Roman brooches could indicate personal taste, regional identity, and sometimes even social standing. Knobbed and moulded bow forms such as this show the Roman preference for structured, balanced ornament applied to useful everyday objects. Pieces like this demonstrate how even ordinary clothing fasteners could be transformed into elegant items of wearable metalwork.
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, Republic
Century/timeframe
3rd - 1st century BC
Name of object
Fibula
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Material
Silver
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
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.
