Roman Germanic Leaded Bronze Eagle Fibula - Nov 04, 2021 | Artemis Gallery In Co
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Roman Germanic Leaded Bronze Eagle Fibula

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Roman Germanic Leaded Bronze Eagle Fibula
Roman Germanic Leaded Bronze Eagle Fibula
Item Details
Description
Roman, Imperial to Migration Period, likely Germanic Peoples, ca. 1st to 5th century CE. A wonderful leaded bronze fibula in the form of an eagle with head in profile facing left. The ancient animal displays a lengthy neck, curved beak, slender body, asymmetrical wings, and bifurcated tail. An impressed target-motif forms the eye of the charming animal, while 4 additional target-motifs decorate the body. The base and setting of the pin are displayed on the verso. The Roman eagle was a symbol of the legion, and this may have been owned by a legionary or perhaps a legionary's wife. The concentric circle designs suggest a Celtic influence of the kind found in Roman Britain, although both goods and people traveled far and wide in the Roman Empire and it could have been merely inspired by that style. Size: 1.1" W x 1.5" H (2.8 cm x 3.8 cm); 3.5" H (8.9 cm) on included custom stand.

In ancient Rome, the eagle had an association to the Roman military and oftentimes bronze eagles would be featured as staff finials - leading armies into war. Eagles were also powerfully symbolic to the Romans: the soul of the emperor was incarnate in an eagle, and mourners released eagles above imperial funerary pyres to carry the soul to heaven. To quote a piece of historical fiction set in Roman Britain entitled "The Eagle of the Ninth" (Rosemary Sutcliff, 1954), "Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost."

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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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.

#141996
Condition
Not wearable; missing pin. Chipping to tail. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with lovely patina.
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Roman Germanic Leaded Bronze Eagle Fibula

Estimate $500 - $750
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Starting Price $250
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Artemis Gallery

Artemis Gallery

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