Ancient Roman bronze bow fibula - 53 mm

"Ancient Roman Bronze Bow Fibula

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st - 2nd Century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: Length: 53 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: 64

The current owner purchased this Ancient Roman bronze bow fibula from a private collector, N.N., in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The previous owner, a private collector from Tilburg, stated that the object had been in his collection since an unknown date. According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1980s. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This bronze bow fibula is a Roman dress fastener from the Early Imperial Period. Fibulae were used to secure garments such as cloaks, tunics, and outer clothing, functioning in a similar way to a modern brooch or safety pin. They were worn by men and women and formed an important part of daily dress throughout the Roman world.

During the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D., fibulae were widely used across the Roman Empire, including in the provinces of north-western Europe. They were practical objects, but their form, size, and decoration could also reflect regional taste, personal preference, and social identity. A bow fibula of this type would have been a visible accessory, worn on the body and handled regularly in everyday life.

The production of Roman bronze fibulae belonged to an organised metalworking tradition. Craftsmen cast and finished these objects using established forms and technical methods. The bow shape provided both strength and spring tension, allowing the pin mechanism to fasten fabric securely. Comparable fibulae circulated widely through trade, military movement, settlement, and local exchange.

This piece provides a direct and physical link to the Roman world, where such objects were part of everyday life. It forms a tangible connection to the people of antiquity, who used fibulae not only as practical garment fasteners but also as visible elements of personal dress."