Ancient Greek Bronze bow brooch (Phrygian type) - 59 mm (No reserve price)

"Ancient Greek Bronze Bow Brooch (Phrygian Type)

Culture / Period: Ancient Greek
Date / Period: 8th–6th century B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 59 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 686

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

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

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

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

Background Information:
This bronze bow brooch belongs to the Phrygian type, a distinctive form of fibula widely used throughout the Greek world and western Anatolia during the Early Iron Age and Archaic period. The strongly arched bow is decorated with prominent moulded collars and rounded nodes, features that are characteristic of this well-established and easily recognisable type.

Fibulae were indispensable components of ancient dress, serving as practical fasteners for cloaks, mantles, and tunics worn by both men and women. Beyond their utilitarian function, they also acted as personal ornaments, reflecting regional styles and the craftsmanship of local bronze workshops. The carefully moulded decorative elements on this example demonstrate the attention given to both appearance and durability.

Originating in Phrygia in central Anatolia, this fibula type spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean through trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Skilled bronze craftsmen produced these brooches using established casting techniques before finishing them with moulded decorative collars. Comparable examples have been recovered from settlements, sanctuaries, and burial contexts across Greece, Asia Minor, and the Balkans, illustrating the widespread popularity of this design.

Dating to the 8th–6th century B.C., this brooch belongs to a period of expanding commerce, technological innovation, and artistic development within the ancient Mediterranean. It forms a tangible connection to the ancient world, where objects of this kind were essential items of everyday clothing and reflected the shared traditions of craftsmanship across the Early Greek world."