Greek Metalwork: Bronze Fibula with Incised Plate
Inv. No.: 91.002
Provenance: Greece
Date: 7th century BC
Height: 35mm
Width: 103mm
Gift of the University Society of Toowoomba in memory of Dr Leslie Boyce and Mr Ronald Pechey.
A Geometric bronze fibula with an enlarged, roughly rectangular catch-plate with an engraved pattern. The bow is formed from four hemispherical bosses, also decorated with engraved geometric patterns. It joins at a right angle with an upright element with a lozenge-shaped profile. This in turn is connected by a double spiral spring with a long pin that is round in cross-section. The piece is in fairly good condition, but affected by corrosion. The catch for the pin is missing. The patterns are difficult to make out in detail because of the corrosion, but they are simple geometric patterns. Some fibulae from this period were decorated with more complex animal or mythological scenes.
Function:
Used in the same way as a safety pin, to hold garments together. Fibulae with engraved designs on large catch-plates were reserved for use on garments worn for important ceremonies or events. They could also be used for votive purposes and are found in funerary contexts.
Manufacture:
This piece was probably made by cutting the shapes of the various elements from sheet metal and working them by hammering (the hemispherical bosses) or filing (the upright and pin). The geometric decoration is engraved.
Decoration:
- The catch-plate is decorated with engraved patterns on both sides. On each side there is a fine, zig-zag frame around the outer edge. In the centre on one side there is a quatrefoil shape with cross-hatching. The pattern on the other side is largely obscured, but it could be a fish with cross-hatching.
- The bosses each have a fine zig-zag pattern around their circumference and a central upright zig-zag stripe.
Bibliography:
Blinkenberg, C., Fibules Grecques et Orientales, Copenhagen, Bianco Lunos Bogtrykkeri, 1926, 176-182, especially 180-181 (9 a-e).
Coldstream, J. N., Geometric Greece, London, Methuen, 1979, 157, 202-204.
Hampe, R. and E. Simon, The Birth of Greek Art: From the Mycenaean to the Archaic Period, New York, Oxford University Press, 1981, 111.
Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, Dorset Publishing Company, 1982, 184.
Kilian-Dirlmeier, I., "A Geometric Fibula from Central Greece", Classical Art in the Nicholson Museum, Sydney, eds. A. Cambitoglou and E. G. D. Robinson, Mainz, Philipp von Zabern, 1995, 39-48.
Schweitzer, B., Greek Geometric Art, London, Phaidon, 1971, 201-216 ("Bronze Fibulae with Engraved Pictures").
Comparanda:
Comstock, M. and C. Vermeule, Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Greenwich, Connecticut, New York Graphic Society, 1971, No. 264 (Geometric fibula with three bosses and incised plate).
Hampe, R. and E. Simon, The Birth of Greek Art: From the Mycenaean to the Archaic Period, New York, Oxford University Press, 1981, Figs. 93, 94, 149, 150.
Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, Dorset Publishing Company, 1982, Fig. 78.
Jacobsthal, P., Greek Pins and their Connexions with Europe and Asia, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1956, Fig. 13.
Kilian-Dirlmeier, I., "A Geometric Fibula from Central Greece", Classical Art in the Nicholson Museum, Sydney, eds. A. Cambitoglou and E. G. D. Robinson, Mainz, Philipp von Zabern, 1995, Plate 11.
Mitten, D. G. and S. F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, Philipp von Zabern, 1967, No. 26.