HEAVY ROMAN GOLD CROSSBOW BROOCH DECORATED WITH OPENWORK

Ca. AD 300 - 500.
A large Roman Imperial 23 ct gold "crossbow" fibula with a polygonal bow section circular open work. It was used to fasten the cloaks of Roman soldiers and citizens. It is cruciform in shape, with golden pearls on the arms of the the terminals. Brooches of this style were very fashionable in the late Roman Empire, especially amongst elites. For similar see: MET Museum Accession Number: 95.15.113. This piece has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements.
Size: 70mm x 30mm; Weight: 35g
Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex. Gorny & Mosch, sale 150, 11 July 2006, lot 693. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.