Object Description
A fine bronze spectacle fibula dating to the Early Iron Age. The fibula is made of a continuous bronze wire wound in different directions forming two spirals. The wire gradually tapers in towards the centre, leading the eye inward. The clean, sharp way in which the wire ends in the middle suggests that rather than having the pin and catch that was formed from the same piece of bronze, this fibula had a different method of attachment. Most likely, rivets connected to a backing plate would have been inserted through central holes and secured in the front with metal caps. The two spirals are embellished by a vertically arranged, slightly off-centre figure-of-eight coil formed from the same wire. From archaeological evidence, such fibulae were pinned on each shoulder to hold the garment.
The measurements listed below includes the stand. The piece itself weighs 386.3g, and measures 18.7cm in length and 9cm in width. The diameter of each spiral is 9cm.
Date: Circa 11th–7th century BC
Period: Early Iron Age