Roman Gilt Silver Fibula w/ Gilt Copper Finial

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant "crossbow" fibula or brooch comprised of gilt silver with a gilt copper tipped finial, used to fasten a cloak of a Roman soldier and citizen. The fibula is cruciform, with its tubular arms presenting flat, faceted faces and rounded terminals, its mid-section adorned by an attractive ridged band as well as a wire wrap at its lower end, its lower section with decorative ridges at its upper and lower ends, both of which are embellished with gilding, and an elegant bulb-shaped finial comprised of gilded copper. A stunning example of the Roman Empire's luxury arts! Size: 1.75" L x 1" W (4.4 cm x 2.5 cm); composition: (body) 62% silver, 31% copper, 5.4% zinc; (gilding on areas of body) 20% gold; (top finial) 87% copper, 7.4% zinc, 4% silver, 1.3% gold.

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA acquired before 2000

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#160442
Condition Report: Missing the wire pin on verso. Losses to gilt on body/terminals as shown. Slight bending to form. Nice details and mineral deposits.