Ancient Roman, Empire Iron Fibula, rare
17
days
17
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53
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43
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€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Ancient Roman iron bow fibula of the 1st–2nd century AD, about 66.5 mm long, in good condition with original pin, hinge and catchplate, displaying a reddish-brown patina and traces of decoration; acquired in 2020 from an antique market in the Netherlands.
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 Roman iron bow fibula with a strongly arched upper bow and a long, narrow foot. The original pin remains largely intact and extends along the underside towards the catchplate. Traces of the original decoration remain visible on the bow and foot.
-> Roman iron fibulae are often heavily corroded or survive only in fragments. The largely complete condition and preserved pin make this a particularly appealing and uncommon collector’s piece.
Length: ± 66,5 mm
Good solid condition, complete with hinge, catchplate and pin. To be handled with care.
The iron displays a dense reddish-brown patina with areas of darker encrustations, mineral deposits and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Roman fibulae functioned much like modern safety pins and were used to fasten cloaks, tunics and other garments. Iron examples were less decorative than many bronze or silver brooches but were practical, durable and widely used. Their forms changed over time and varied between regions, allowing archaeologists to use fibulae as important indicators of chronology, dress and cultural connections within the Roman Empire.
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.
Ancient Roman iron bow fibula with a strongly arched upper bow and a long, narrow foot. The original pin remains largely intact and extends along the underside towards the catchplate. Traces of the original decoration remain visible on the bow and foot.
-> Roman iron fibulae are often heavily corroded or survive only in fragments. The largely complete condition and preserved pin make this a particularly appealing and uncommon collector’s piece.
Length: ± 66,5 mm
Good solid condition, complete with hinge, catchplate and pin. To be handled with care.
The iron displays a dense reddish-brown patina with areas of darker encrustations, mineral deposits and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Roman fibulae functioned much like modern safety pins and were used to fasten cloaks, tunics and other garments. Iron examples were less decorative than many bronze or silver brooches but were practical, durable and widely used. Their forms changed over time and varied between regions, allowing archaeologists to use fibulae as important indicators of chronology, dress and cultural connections within the Roman Empire.
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, Empire
Century/timeframe
1st-2nd century AD
Name of object
rare, Fibula
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2020
Material
Iron
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2020
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
