古代ローマ人 ブロンズ クロスボウ腓骨 – プロッテル型3-4、将校と関連する - 52 mm

Ancient Roman Bronze Crossbow Fibula – Pröttel Type 3–4

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 4th–5th century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 52 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 688

The current owner purchased the Ancient Roman bronze Crossbow Fibula – Pröttel Type 3–4 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 crossbow fibula belongs to the Pröttel Type 3–4 group, a well-established typological classification for Late Roman crossbow brooches dating to the 4th and early 5th century A.D. Characterised by its transverse crossbar with rounded terminals, arched bow, and elongated foot, this type formed one of the most recognisable items of dress in the later Roman Empire.

Crossbow fibulae served as functional garment fasteners, securing heavy cloaks worn over the shoulder. During Late Antiquity they became closely associated with the Roman military, imperial administration, and provincial officials. While not restricted exclusively to officers, examples of this type are widely regarded as symbols of rank and authority and frequently appear in military and administrative contexts throughout the Empire.

These brooches were produced in specialised bronze workshops using cast components that were subsequently finished by hand. Standardised forms such as the Pröttel Type 3–4 reflect the organised production methods of the Late Roman period, ensuring both practical functionality and a distinctive official appearance. Comparable examples have been recovered across the former Roman provinces, from the Balkans and the Danube frontier to Gaul, Britain, and the Germanic borderlands, illustrating the extensive distribution of this prestigious fibula type.

Dating to the 4th–5th century A.D., this example belongs to the final centuries of the Western Roman Empire, when military and civil administration underwent significant transformation. It provides a direct and tangible connection to the Late Roman world, where brooches of this kind served not only as essential clothing fasteners but also as visible expressions of status, office, and imperial identity.