Muinainen Rooma Kalan fibula

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.

A rare Gallo Roman bronze fibula in the shape of a fish with silver / niello inlays. Finely detailed features of the eye, scales, fins and tail with delicate punched details on the body.

-> The delicate details on this fish-shaped brooch highlight the skill and attention to detail that was prevalent during this era. This fibula not only served as a functional accessory but also symbolized status and style among its wearers.

Good and solid condition, appealing smooth green patina, some deposits of iron from the pin (missing), some remains of the original silvering/tinning still present. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Length: ± 39,4 mm
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).


-> Tinning served both a practical and cosmetic purpose. Tinning objects made them look silvery while it also provided rust prevention, making maintenance easier for Roman soldiers.
The process of tinning involved wiping a thin layer of tin onto a bronze or other metal surface, transforming its appearance and enhancing its durability.
Through archaeological evidence and historical accounts, we can glimpse the wide range of objects that underwent this tinning process.

-> In the Roman period, fish were associated with abundance, prosperity, and sustenance, reflecting their importance in daily diet and trade. They also held symbolic value in religious and cultural contexts, sometimes linked to fertility and the life-giving properties of water. In later Roman times, the fish gained additional significance as an early Christian symbol (ichthys), representing faith, salvation, and spiritual nourishment.


Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.

Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.

Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.