Carolingian / Viking Age Bronze Dog Fibula - 16 mm (No reserve price)

Carolingian / Viking Age Bronze Dog Fibula

Culture / Period: Carolingian / Viking Age
Date / Period: 8th - 10th century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 16 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 905

The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the dog fibula from H. vd M. in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

The previous owner, H. vd M. of Leeuwarden, stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the object had previously formed part of a private collection in the Netherlands since before 1990.

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

Background Information:
Animal-shaped fibulae formed part of the varied repertoire of personal ornaments used in early medieval Europe. This small bronze example represents a stylised quadruped, traditionally identified as a dog, with a simplified body, legs and upright neck and head. Circular details indicate the eyes. Such zoomorphic brooches combined the practical function of fastening clothing with decorative imagery.

The proposed 8th–10th century dating places the object within the Carolingian and Viking Age, when communities across northern and western Europe were connected by extensive networks of trade, travel and cultural exchange. Animal imagery was widely employed in early medieval decorative arts, appearing on personal ornaments and other small metal objects in numerous regional variations.

Bronze fibulae were produced within established metalworking traditions, generally involving casting followed by finishing and the addition of details to define the animal form. Portable dress accessories could circulate between communities and regions, while local craftsmen adapted broader artistic traditions according to regional preferences.

As a small personal object originally intended to be worn on clothing, this zoomorphic fibula provides a tangible connection to early medieval dress, craftsmanship and the everyday material culture of the Carolingian and Viking Age.