Ave!

Brooch, Tubular-headed, ca. 2nd Cent. AD, Rare

Copper alloy; 40mm/23.3gm!

Con/ Corroded iron pin and spring, otherwise, As Fabricated and engraved; near unblemished green patina, cleaned and waxed.

Ref/ Hattatt 1232

Seller's Note/ This tubular-headed covered-spring fibula is rather remarkable, not only due to it's size, weight and condition, but also for the open area in the bow. But that's not the cool part!

Over the last 25 years, NRC has had the opportunity, and privilege, to present any number of ancient brooches, and none, other than those within interior of crossbow fibulae, have any iron parts at all. And of all those ancient brooches and fibulae, all had copper alloy springs and pins. As to why the smith chose an iron pin and spring for his brooch is moot.

We've never seen, nor presented, one like this. Rare, and highly collectable for discerning collectors looking for the very unusual.