Roman Metalwork: Bronze cross-bow fibula
Inv. No.: 83.090
Provenance: Wroxeter (Roman) (purchased from Seaby, stock No. 351T)
Date: 4th century AD
Height: 26mm
Length: 81mm
Weight: 40.7 g (without pin fragment); 41.9 g (with pin fragment)
This is an example of a developed type of crossbow fibula (Swift type 3/4) that was distributed widely in the later Roman empire and probably manufactured in continental Europe. It was perhaps taken to Britain by a military person or was exported there by traders with this clientele in mind. Crossbow fibulae belong to a broad grouping of brooches that can be described as "P-shaped" in profile, but with specific features that resemble a crossbow. This piece has a crosspiece with a rectangular cross section and onion-shaped terminal knobs with plain collars. When the fibula is viewed with the head knob at the base (its orientation when worn), the terminal knob on the right has its point missing. The profile of the top of the crosspiece is shaped as follows: on each side it curves down from the bow attachment and meets a v-shaped element framed by notches. The onion-shaped head knob is attached separately to the junction of crosspiece and bow using a rivet. The bow has a semi-circular arch and is trapezoidal in cross section with a moulded ridge where it joins the bow. The bow base takes the form of a moulded ridge with a cuff (square in section) above the foot. The bow is slightly narrower and shorter than the foot, which is flat with straight sides, flaring very slightly towards the end. The wide catch plate curves beneath the foot, finishing about 5 mm before the tip. Its edges are damaged and irregular in outline. A v-shaped notch in the middle of the lower edge of the crosspiece is all that remains of the hinge, but a 40 mm segment of the pin survives. It is round in cross section and tapers towards the end. The fibula is decorated with incised and punched decoration with type b4 circle and dot pattern on the foot. Between the patterned areas, the top of the foot curves very slightly with the result that the circular patterns are situated on flat areas separated from the rest of the upper surface of the foot by slight ledges. Traces of red on the bow and white in the two circles near the bow suggest that it was originally enamelled. There is a fine dark greenish patina.
Function:
Used as a shoulder fastener for a cloak, especially by men with prestigious social positions, particularly the military.
Manufacture:
Cast using a mould probably in a two-stage process with a forged catch plate, hinge and pin; decorated with stamped and incised decoration.
Decoration:
- Viewing the fibula with the head knob at the bottom, the top face of the bow is decorated with incised oblique lines running down from left to right.
- The upper face of the foot has a pair of incised lines running along its centre. Two stamped circles are placed near the junction of bow and foot, one either side of the central lines. Four stamped circles, arranged symmetrically in pairs, decorate the end of the foot. The circles take the form of a depressed ring enclosing a central relief ring with a depression in the middle.
Bibliography:
Alexander, J., "The study of fibulae (safety pins)", The explanation of culture change: models in prehistory, ed. C. Renfrew, London, Duckworth, 1973, 185-194.
Collingwood, R. G. and I. Richmond, The Archaeology of Roman Britain, rev. ed., London and New York, 1969, 298-299 (Group T).
Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, Dorset Publishing Company, 1982, 118-125.
Hattatt, R., Iron Age and Roman Brooches: A second selection of brooches from the author collection, Oxford, Oxbow, 1985, 128-135.
Johns, C., The Jewellery of Roman Britain: Celtic and Classical Traditions, London, UCL Press, 1996, 166-170.
Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin, January 1982, V54, b.
Snape, M. E., Roman Brooches from North Britain: A classification and a catalogue of brooches from sites on the Stanegate, Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, British Series 235, 1993, 23 (Group 8.8: "Crossbow, heavy"); see 20-23 ("Group 8. P-shaped").
Swift, E., Regionality in Dress Accessories in the late Roman West, Montagnac, &Eacu
Comparanda:
Collingwood, R. G. and I. Richmond, The Archaeology of Roman Britain, rev. ed., London and New York, 1969, Fig. 106, 76 (Group T).
Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, Dorset Publishing Company, 1982, Fig. 53, 103 and 104 (both 4th century AD).
Hattatt, R., Iron Age and Roman Brooches: A second selection of brooches from the author collection, Oxford, Oxbow, 1985, Fig. 56, 504.
Snape, M. E., Roman Brooches from North Britain: A classification and a catalogue of brooches from sites on the Stanegate, Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, British Series 235, 1993, Figs. 2, 8.8 ("Classification"); and 10, 84 (similar shape and decoration; from Corbridge).
Swift, E., Regionality in Dress Accessories in the late Roman West, Montagnac, Éditions Monique Mergoil, 2000, Figs. 5 ("Crossbow brooches of type 3/4a and 3/4b"); 45 (map with distribution of type 3/4 crossbow brooches with b4 foot); and 48, b4 (type of circle and dot foot decoration).