The fibula, best translated as “brooch,” served a genuinely practical purpose beyond decoration in the ancient and medieval world: in an age when many garments were simply sheets of fabric folded and pinned into shape, the fibula was the functional precursor to the safety pin, holding a cloak or tunic securely in place. Roman fibulae absorbed strong Celtic and Germanic decorative influence, and by the later Empire, styles such as the crossbow brooch had become a genuine symbol of civil and military authority, worn almost exclusively by men of rank.
This strap-form brooch offers a distinct decorative silhouette within our brooch range, suited to fastening a cloak or securing a belt end.
This reproduction is cast in brass with an antique finish, measuring approximately 5.1cm, supplied with a red jewellery bag.
