Enameled Bronze Brooch: Roman
Rabbit
Circa Late 1st - 2nd Century AD
A charming, small Roman bronze zoomorphic disc brooch depicting a crouching rabbit facing right. The surface of the circular brooch has been enameled in green with red fill in the animal’s body. The bronze body shows a nice green patina and remarkably, the catch pin is intact. For a similar brooches found in Roman Britain see Hattatt “Ancient Brooches,” plate 1077 and 1578.
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.
(23 mm in Diameter – 7/8”)
