Etruscan Bronze Navicella Fibula w/ Figural Decoration
Northern Italy, Tuscany, Etruscan culture, ca. 7th century BCE. A "navicella" brooch - navicella meaning "ship" - made of bent sheet bronze with a pin joined to the body through a spiral hinge. The form of the body resembles a deep-keeled boat. The incised lines on the exterior of this example help create the boat-like appearance, as they look like wooden boards. In this rare example, zoomorphic projections are at the sides and underside of the boat. Here they are encrusted, but another navicella fibula from Sardinia has projections in the form of deer and birds, giving us a clue as to what these may once have been. Fibulae were a distinctive piece of Etruscan fashion, and their detail and large size indicates that they were made to be prominently displayed as an outward sign of wealth. Size: 1.65" L x 2.75" W x 2" H (4.2 cm x 7 cm x 5.1 cm)
The Sardinian example referenced above is located in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Cagliari, Sardinia.
Provenance: private Swiss collection of F.H.; ex-private W. Rosenbaum collection, Ascona, Switzerland, acquired before 1984
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#124138
Condition Report: Clasp is lost. Pin is present, with frozen movement. Nice remaining details, with pale green, encrusted patina over much of the surface.
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Northern Italy, Tuscany, Etruscan culture, ca. 7th century BCE. A "navicella" brooch - navicella meaning "ship" - made of bent sheet bronze with a pin joined to the body through a spiral hinge. The form of the body resembles a deep-keeled boat. The incised lines on the exterior of this example help create the boat-like appearance, as they look like wooden boards. In this rare example, zoomorphic projections are at the sides and underside of the boat. Here they are encrusted, but another navicella fibula from Sardinia has projections in the form of deer and birds, giving us a clue as to what these may once have been. Fibulae were a distinctive piece of Etruscan fashion, and their detail and large size indicates that they were made to be prominently displayed as an outward sign of wealth. Size: 1.65" L x 2.75" W x 2" H (4.2 cm x 7 cm x 5.1 cm)
The Sardinian example referenced above is located in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Cagliari, Sardinia.
Provenance: private Swiss collection of F.H.; ex-private W. Rosenbaum collection, Ascona, Switzerland, acquired before 1984
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#124138
Condition Report: Clasp is lost. Pin is present, with frozen movement. Nice remaining details, with pale green, encrusted patina over much of the surface.
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Time, Location
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