Greece, especially northern Greece, Classical period, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. A very rare silver fibula of an arched form adorned by five flanged bulbs with collar borders, twin facing palmette plaques flanking the hinge of the pin, and a curved catchplate with incised borders and twin large granules at one end. The pin remains and still moves a bit. Size: 2.375" W (6 cm); pin measures 2.5" L (6.4 cm)

Fibulae were brooches used to fasten or pin garments such as cloaks by various ancient cultures. In addition to being functional - taking the place of straight pins used during the Neolithic and Bronze Age - these accessories were quite decorative. Although buttons would eventually replace them, the safety pins that we use today may be understood as descendants of these forms. A fibula cast from silver is quite rare, and this piece contains 93.5 percent pure silver, making it exceptionally fine.

See a very similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254711

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#133343

Normal surface wear and tarnish commensurate with age - a few tiny casting flaws. Surprisingly, the pin, though showing some bending at the end, has survived and still shows a small range of motion.