Late Roman inlaid bronze crossbow fibula

3rd-4th Century AD

Height: 8.1 cm

An ornate crossbow fibula with characteristic onion-shaped terminals and decorated barrel. The ridged armspan sits behind the barrel. The upper curved half of the barrel is decorated with a central silver band inlaid with niello. Patterning continues down the centre of the flat lower half, the edges with scroll motif. Condition: Some inlays missing.

Literature: A similar example is in the collection of the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard Art Museums (Acc. no. 1978.495.37).

Provenance: Private collection of Christopher Sheppard, London and thence by descent