Bronze Fibula with Geometric Incisions
Bronze Fibula with Geometric Incisions
Despite its small size, this fibula is remarkable for its weight and solidity, which contrast with the simple and light outlines.
3rd century B.C., 4th century B.C.
L : 6.4 cm
Out of stock
Product Description
Despite its small size, this fibula is remarkable for its weight and solidity, which contrast with the simple and light outlines.
Cast in solid bronze, this piece of jewelry follows a usual pattern, with a very aesthetic geometric shape mixing rounded and angular elements: the body is arched; the pin, provided with a spring, passed through the loop at the base of the bow and was fixed in the hollow pin-rest placed under the foot. The foot is composed of a massive bronze square, mounted on a thick rod.
Though very discreet, the decoration is outstanding. Perfectly organized and only made up of geometric patterns (rows of dots, zigzags, circles, twisted lines), the ornamentation occupies the entire surface available to the bronzier, except for the lower part of the fibula which is smooth: the bow, with the symmetrical patterns on both sides of the central ridge, and the square foot, with the beautiful continuous spirals (upper side) and the zigzags on the edges.
Such fibulae of various types and shapes belonged to the personal adornment of the ancient Iberians and served as clothing fasteners. They are largely documented in Iberian necropolises, where they appear in both male and female tombs: they were generally deposited as grave goods, while other examples, found in the funerary urn with the burnt bones, would have been worn by the deceased during the cremation.
