Description:

Ancient Greece, especially northern Greece, Classical period, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. A very rare silver fibula of an arched form adorned by five flanged bulbs with collar borders, twin facing palmette plaques flanking the hinge of the pin, and a curved catchplate with incised borders and twin large granules at one end. The composition is 95% silver - and remarkably, the pin has survived the tests of time and still moves! Size: 2.125" W (5.4 cm); pin measures 2.25" L (5.7 cm); Weight: 37.9 grams

Fibulae were brooches used to fasten or pin garments such as cloaks by various ancient cultures. In addition to being functional - taking the place of straight pins used during the Neolithic and Bronze Age - these accessories were quite decorative. Although buttons would eventually replace them, the safety pins that we use today may be understood as descendants of these forms. A fibula cast from silver is quite rare, and this piece contains 95% silver, making it exceptionally fine.

See a very similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254711

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#133344

  • Condition: Pin is a bit bent, but it is rare to find examples that still have their pins. What's more, this pin moves a bit. Nice patina commensurate with age.

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July 19, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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