Bronze Fibula: Roman Bull Brooch
Circa 2nd Century AD
(23 x 32 mm – 7/8 x 1 1/4”)
A very fine Roman bronze zoomorphic brooch depicting a bull. The surface shows a nice green patina and remarkably, the iron pin is totally intact, though frozen in place. This is very rare form. It is sculpted in an almost three-dimensional form, with the head turned and facing outward. The eyes are inset with red jasper. No bull brooches appear in Mills, “Celtic & Roman Artefacts” or Hattatt, “Ancient Brooches.”
The fibula was in widespread use throughout the ancient world. The Roman conquests spread the use of the fibula, which became the basis for more complicated brooches. In the severe climate of northern Europe, it routinely functioned as a fastening for a heavy cloak or tunic. The safety-pin type of fibula continued to be used up into the Middle Ages.
