3rd century AD. A pair of silver crossbow brooches each with three onion-shaped knops, deep bow, chamfered footplate; one with gold(?) filigree trim to the bow, pins absent. Cf. Hattatt, R. Iron Age and Roman Brooches, Oxford, 1985, item 502 for type. 36 grams total, 55-66mm (2 1/4 - 2 3/4"). The Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s; collection numbers C31 and 33; formerly in the Fabulous Fibulas collection, Southern UK; formed in the 1980s and 1990s. Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s. [2, No Reserve]

Fine condition.