Southern Europe, Hallstatt culture, Bronze Age, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A fantastic bronze fibula consisting of a thick wire that is skillfully shaped into a very intricate and serpentine form. Comprised of one thick wire- starting at the large spiral which is formed by meticulously twisting the wire in a rotational fashion- the outer end extends up and curves inward as a catch for the pin. This wire continues in elegant twists below a thick handle or boat shaped section that slightly arches outward, before narrowing into a tight coil as a spring, and finally the relatively straight pin extending downward behind the large spiral- a mesmerizing, snaking maze of coils and loops! Ornate fibula such as this example, were often buried with their owners to accompany them in the afterlife. Size: 4.25" L (10.8 cm); custom display stand included.
Hallstatt culture developed from the earlier Urnfield culture, and would progress into the later La Tene culture, which is often called Celtic. However, these names and classifications have been imposed upon ancient peoples by archaeologists and historians (Hallstatt, for example, takes its name from the type site, which is located in Austria southeast of Salzburg). 2700 years ago, these people lived in small groups, probably loosely confederated for trading purposes but engaging in frequent warfare.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Mark and Lottie Salton collection, Hartsdale, New York, USA, from the 1950s to 1960s
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#170395
Condition
Intact and excellent, with a deep green patina.