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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1987.135.55
Title
Stop-Disc Fibula
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Large Wire Fibula
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pin, fibula
Date
6th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe
Period
Iron Age
Culture
European
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/311884

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Copper alloy
Technique
Hammered
Dimensions
21 x 7.9 x 1.3 cm (8 1/4 x 3 1/8 x 1/2 in.)
Technical Details

Technical Observations: The patina is light and dark green with burial accretions overall. There are many bends and distortions in the pin. There is a break at the pin that has adhesive and soil accretions. The fibula has an extremely long catchplate and is crudely formed. The square-sectioned wire leading from the catchplate becomes round as it transitions into the pin.

Julie Wolfe

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Nagler
Accession Year
1987
Object Number
1987.135.55
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
This large wire fibula is broken near the juncture of the bow and catchplate. The wire is relatively thick, circular in section, and forms a large loop (7 to 8 cm wide) that is now slightly misshapen. The catchplate is relatively thick, particularly on the upper portion closest to the juncture with the pin; it becomes flatter away from the bow, forming a long, tapering catchplate with a relatively narrow area to hold the pin. The fibula has no decoration.

The lack of coil in this fibula is unusual but can be compared with fibulae from Hallstatt graves; these fibulae usually have a disc on the bow, which is absent here (1).

NOTES:

1. Compare R. Hattatt, Brooches of Antiquity: A Third Selection of Brooches from the Author’s Collection (Oxford, 1987) 354-55, no. 013; and B. E. Glunz, Studien zu den Fibeln aus dem Gräberfeld von Hallstatt, Oberösterreich (Linz, 1997) 79-88, pls. 30.10-11 and 31.1-10.

Lisa M. Anderson

Publication History

  • Julie Wolfe, "Analysis of Iron Age Bronze Fibulae from Southern Italy in the Collection of the Harvard University Art Museums" (thesis (certificate in conservation), Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, June 1998), Unpublished, p. 1-14 passim.

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu