A Roman bronze crossbow fibula brooch, with much of the gold gilding remaining. The brooch has a semi-circular bow with trapezoid cross-section, hexagonally hinge tube and moulded onion knobs. Pin shaft with lateral moulding and openwork decoration. Riha Group 6 Type 6.5 (1496).
 
Roman: Circa 4th century AD.
 
Very Fine condition; complete and intact; the gilding partially abraded.
Length 7 cms (2.75 ins)
 
Provenance: Swiss priv. coll. Raffaele Bonsera, Basel, since 2005. Purchased on the Swiss art market, Basel.