Annular fibula; Hispanic, Celtiberian art, 3rd century
Ring fibula; Hispanic, Celtiberian art, 3rd century BC.
Bronze.
In good state of preservation.
Provenance: Private collection, Spain.
Measurements: 3.5 x 5.5 cm.
Bronze ring-shaped fibula, which is tall. The name fibula refers to any type of metal piece used in antiquity to join or fasten any of the garments that made up the dress. In fact, it is the earliest form of articulated brooch. In Roman fibulae, as in Phoenician, Celtic and Etruscan fibulae, a great variety of shapes and decorations can be found, which proves the importance that this type of object had in personal adornment. In the Roman Empire, the fibula was both functional and ornamental, as men and women used them to fasten their peplums and cloaks. Similar functions were fulfilled by pins, designed to fasten heavy garments such as cloaks.
The term Celtiberian groups together a series of pre-Roman Celtic or Celticized peoples who inhabited the area of the Iberian Peninsula known as Celtiberia in classical sources from the end of the Bronze Age (around the 13th century BC) until the Romanisation of Hispania (2nd-1st century BC). One of the main sources of information on the material culture of the Celtiberian peoples is the funerary trousseaux, with metal objects (generally bronze and iron, but also silver), including weapons, ornaments and tools, and also ceramic pieces, ranging from the cinerary urn itself to beads and fusayoles. These grave goods were made up of functional objects from everyday life as well as others of purely symbolic and social value, indicating the status of the deceased. The important role of weaponry and, in particular, swords, which speak of the privileged place occupied by warriors in Celtiberian society, is particularly noteworthy.
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Time, Location
Auction House
Ring fibula; Hispanic, Celtiberian art, 3rd century BC.
Bronze.
In good state of preservation.
Provenance: Private collection, Spain.
Measurements: 3.5 x 5.5 cm.
Bronze ring-shaped fibula, which is tall. The name fibula refers to any type of metal piece used in antiquity to join or fasten any of the garments that made up the dress. In fact, it is the earliest form of articulated brooch. In Roman fibulae, as in Phoenician, Celtic and Etruscan fibulae, a great variety of shapes and decorations can be found, which proves the importance that this type of object had in personal adornment. In the Roman Empire, the fibula was both functional and ornamental, as men and women used them to fasten their peplums and cloaks. Similar functions were fulfilled by pins, designed to fasten heavy garments such as cloaks.
The term Celtiberian groups together a series of pre-Roman Celtic or Celticized peoples who inhabited the area of the Iberian Peninsula known as Celtiberia in classical sources from the end of the Bronze Age (around the 13th century BC) until the Romanisation of Hispania (2nd-1st century BC). One of the main sources of information on the material culture of the Celtiberian peoples is the funerary trousseaux, with metal objects (generally bronze and iron, but also silver), including weapons, ornaments and tools, and also ceramic pieces, ranging from the cinerary urn itself to beads and fusayoles. These grave goods were made up of functional objects from everyday life as well as others of purely symbolic and social value, indicating the status of the deceased. The important role of weaponry and, in particular, swords, which speak of the privileged place occupied by warriors in Celtiberian society, is particularly noteworthy.
