A fine Roman Germanic style bronze brooch of a horse. The anatomical features have been carefully rendered to display slightly bent legs, giving motion to the animal while its head is held high. The brooch is decorated with a ring-and-dot motif. Parts of the pin lug and catchplate remain to the reverse. Patination and earthly encrustation to the surface. Fibulae or brooches were originally used in Ancient Greece and in the Roman Empire for fastening garments, such as cloaks or togae. The fibula designs developed into a variety of shapes, but all were based on the safety-pin principle. Brooches modelled in the shape of animals have been vastly recovered across the Roman Empire, including Roman Britain. Measurements: L 4.3cm x W 3.5cm Provenance: Ex Wiltshire collection U.K., 30-40 years ago