Ancient Greek Bronze Pair bow brooches (Phrygian type) (No reserve price)

"Ancient Greek Bronze Pair Bow Brooches (Phrygian Type)

Culture / Period: Ancient Greek
Date / Period: 8th–6th century B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 30–35 mm
Condition: Good condition

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 691

The current owner purchased the Ancient Greek bronze Pair 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 pair of bronze bow brooches belongs to the Phrygian fibula tradition, a characteristic Early Iron Age form widely used throughout Anatolia and the Greek world during the 8th–6th century B.C. The examples display the distinctive arched profile and moulded decorative elements that typify this fibula type, including pronounced collars, segmented bows, and projecting terminals that reflect regional styles of metalworking.

Fibulae served as practical dress fasteners, securing cloaks, mantles, and tunics worn by both men and women. Beyond their functional role, they were also important personal ornaments, often reflecting local artistic traditions and the status or identity of the wearer. Such brooches are regularly recovered from settlements, sanctuaries, and burial assemblages, illustrating their widespread use in everyday life and ritual contexts alike.

Produced by casting in bronze and finished by hand, Phrygian-type fibulae demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship achieved by Early Iron Age bronzesmiths. Decorative mouldings and geometric forms were incorporated into standardised designs that spread through trade and cultural exchange. Comparable examples have been found across Phrygia, western Anatolia, mainland Greece, and neighbouring regions, highlighting the interconnected nature of the eastern Mediterranean during this period.

Dating to the 8th–6th century B.C., these brooches belong to an era of expanding regional kingdoms and increasing exchange between Anatolian and Greek cultures. They provide a direct and tangible connection to the ancient world, where objects of this kind formed an essential part of daily dress while also expressing the craftsmanship and artistic traditions of the Early Iron Age."