Product Description
c.2nd-3rd Century A.D. A rare Roman, Bird plate brooch, made of bronze found many years ago in Oxfordshire and from an old Buckinghamshire collection. The fibula depicts a bird, with wings outstretched in flight. The body of the bird is formed from a rectangular bronze plate, which flares at the end to form the bird’s triangular tail feathers in which triangular cells form recessed cavities for enamel inlays (now lost). Flanking the rectangular body, would have been two large triangular wings (left one lost in antiquity) also featuring recessed cells for enamel inlay (also now lost). The neck extends from the body and ends in a small head with beak. The reverse of the brooch features the majority of the hinge and catch-plate. In very nice overall condition with a shiny olive green patina, a decent and affordable example of this rare Roman brooch, 32mm long x 16mm wide
