A finely cast Roman bronze crossbow fibula brooch with typical onion shaped terminals, the bow with decorative hatched engraving to the face and a knurled rib; a foot plate decorated with groups of incised concentric circles. Complete with original pin.
 
Circa: 4th century AD.
 
Condition: Very Fine: complete and intact with good bronze with even, dark green patination.
Length 8 cms (3.1 ins).
 
Provenance: Property of an Austrian private collector since the 1970s.
 
For similar examples of the type see 502-505; Iron-age and Other Brooches; Richard Hattatt.
 
The fibula was an ancient brooch. Their function was not only decorative, but they also originally served a practical function, to fasten clothing such as cloaks.