A Roman bronze crossbow fibula (brooch) with traces of gilding to the underside. The brooch has a top spring, high arched bow, and a short foot, with original pin.
 
Circa 3rd century AD.
 
Complete and intact with good metalwork.
Height 6.2 cms (2.4 ins).
 
An interesting brooch, displaying elements of the earlier P-shaped brooch forms, but in essence an undeveloped type of crossbow brooch which went on to become very popular and more substantial type, with onion-shaped terminals, in the 4th century.