Ancient Greek Bronze Pair bow brooches (Phrygian type)

Ancient Greek Bronze Pair of Bow Brooches (Phrygian Type)

Culture / Period: Ancient Greek
Date / Period: 8th–6th century B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 31–37 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 689

The current owner purchased the Ancient Greek bronze pair of bow brooches (Phrygian type) from a private collector, N.N.

The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from the Netherlands, stated that the objects had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the objects had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the objects was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This matching pair of cast bronze bow brooches belongs to the Phrygian type, a characteristic form of early fibula widely used during the Early Iron Age. Although both examples are incomplete, they retain their distinctive arched bows with moulded decorative elements, illustrating the craftsmanship of early Greek and Anatolian bronze workers.

Fibulae served as practical dress fasteners, securing cloaks, tunics, and mantles before the widespread use of buttons. Beyond their utilitarian function, they also acted as personal ornaments and indicators of status, with decorative forms reflecting regional styles and cultural traditions. Brooches of the Phrygian type originated in Anatolia but were quickly adopted throughout the Greek world, where they became an important element of personal attire during the Geometric and Archaic periods.

These brooches were produced by skilled bronze craftsmen using established casting techniques and finished with moulded ornamentation to enhance their appearance. Similar examples have been recovered from settlements, sanctuaries, and burial contexts across Greece, western Anatolia, and neighbouring regions, demonstrating the close cultural contacts and exchange networks of the early first millennium B.C.

Dating to the 8th–6th century B.C., this pair belongs to a formative period in Greek history marked by expanding trade, colonisation, and artistic development. Together, they provide a tangible connection to the ancient Greek world, where fibulae of this type combined practical use with personal adornment and formed an essential part of everyday dress.