Late 4th-5th century AD. The majority of a substantial and richly ornamented gold crossbow brooch comprising two lateral knobs trimmed with beading, the arched bow still preserved with trimmed edge and filigree decoration, the sides of the head ornamented with solid volutes. See Collins, R., 'Brooch use in the 4th - 5th century frontier', in Collins, R. & Allason-Jones, L. (eds.), Finds from the Frontier. Material Culture in the 4th-5th Centuries, CBA Research Report 162, 2010, p.67. 17.64 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Acquired in Holland, 1987. Rogers collection, Suffolk, UK. Gold crossbow fibulae of this type were worn by high officers and even emperors, from Constantine to Justinian, as symbols of military rank. A classification and chronology of such fibulae has been established by Pröttel; Type 6 crossbows such as this have been dated to c. 390-460 AD. Two examples at the BM are gold, including the famous one from Moray Firth.

Fair condition, held together with wire.