Villanovan Leech Fibula

c.8th-7th century BC. A bronze leech fibula with short foot; pin absent. See the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1991.171.3, for a larger example; see Hencken, Tarquinia and Etruscan Origins, pl. 137, for a parallel from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze. 12 grams, 35mm (1 1/4"). Treasuregate, Art of the Ancients, Brussels, Belgium. Accompanied by an illustrated certificate of authenticity issued by Treasuregate. Archea Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Exhibited PAN Amsterdam in 2001. Private Australian collection. Accompanied by a copy of the previous collector's cataloguing document. Fibulae are found in large numbers in tombs dating from Early Iron Age Italy from the 9th to the 7th century BC. This simple fibula is of the sanguisuga (‘leech’) type with arched bows and closed undersides. De Puma, Etruscan Art, p. 34, notes that sanguisuga fibulae were used almost exclusively by females from the end of the 9th century and are probably the most common type of fibula in the late Villanovan and Etruscan periods. He also suggested that while fibulae might have held transverse cloaks at one shoulder, smaller ones such as this might have pinned veils and scarves in place around the head. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price
Condition Report: Fine condition.