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. Roman silver bow fibula, rare small size. Total length: ± 31,6 mm Width: ± 19,2 mm Condition: good solid condition, complete with spring, pin (moveable) and catchplate. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images. Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format). Ancient Romans appreciated complex jewellery designs and used a wide range of materials. Fibulae were worn by both men and women, often richly decorated with (semi-)precious gemstones and metals. Fibulae are found in a large variety of styles, from strictly functional to very elaborate designs with gemstones, colourful enamels or incorporating zoomorphic figures. The lower classed Romans used cheaper imitations of glass or various metal alloys to reduce the cost of manufacture while displaying their social status. Roman men typically wore one or more finger rings and fibulae. Jewellery was of particular importance to women in Roman society. They had the right to buy, sell or barter their jewellery independently as it was considered their own personal property. Jewellery for children not only showed the wealth and social status of the parents, it often included amulets to protect the children from illness and ward off evil forces. MATERIAL This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics. Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research. Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material. Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.