Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A cast leaded bronze fibula or brooch in the form of a cicada. The petite head has small ridges indicating the bulging eyes of the insect. The body has two wing tips that extend outward with incised lines delineating the wings from the elongated body. The verso has a coil hinge behind the wings where a sharp pin would have extended. This brooch was used for attaching to clothing as a fine ornament with symbolic meaning. The chirping of cicadas was reminiscent of music and became symbolic of the god Apollo, and these insects became a popular theme for Roman brooches. Size: 1.75" L x .8" W (4.4 cm x 2 cm)

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA acquired before 2000

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#160448

  • Condition: Missing pin on verso but the hinge is intact. Minor surface wear commensurate with age. Light patina and nice details.

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November 5, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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