Roman Silver Bird Fibula

Object Description

A fine Roman silver brooch in the form of a stylised bird with a flat reverse. The bird is depicted at rest, with its wings tucked in. The elongated triangular body flares out to a trapezoid tail. A V-shaped groove decorates the body of the bird. The curved neck extends upwards to a slender head with a pointed beak and two recesses representing eyes. The reverse of the bird is flat and unadorned, apart from the pin, lug, and hooked catch plate.

Date: Circa 2nd Century AD

Object History

From an important European private collection, 1980s-2000s.

Object Condition

Very fine condition. Some tarnishing to the surface, along with signs of wear as consistent with age, such as scratches and minor surface roughness. Both pin and catch plate are intact and partially moveable.

Object Details