Crossbow fibula with vegetal ornament on the catchplate / Anonymous Gallo-Roman

Accession Number

1966/2.17

Title

Crossbow fibula with vegetal ornament on the catchplate

Artist

Anonymous Gallo-Roman

Medium and Support

gilt bronze

Object Creation Date

450-500

Object Creation Place

Europe (continent)

Gaul (historical region)

Creation Place 1

Europe (continent)

Creation Place 2

Gaul (historical region)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. Robert H. Tannahill

Style/Group/Movement

Early Medieval

Period

Europe, Early Medieval (4th-8th century)

Dimensions

9.84 cm (3 7/8 in.)

Century

5th century

Primary Object Classification

Metalwork

Primary Object Type

fibula

Secondary Object Classification

Jewelry

Secondary Object Type

personal adornment

Physical Description

This fibula, a type of brooch used to pin outer garments, features a crossbar that ends in three onion-shaped terminals, which give the fibula a shape reminiscent of a crossbow. An arched bow connects the crossbar to the longer catchplate, which is ornamented with vegetal motifs.

Subject Matter

Crossbow fibulae, a type of brooch whose name derives from its resemblance to the much-later weapon, were used by men to pin an outer robe at the right shoulder. The folds of the robe were gathered beneath the arched bow segment of the fibula above the trilobed crossbar and held in place by a pin, while the longer catchplate projected vertically above the shoulder. During the fourth through sixth centuries men, typically of Germanic origin, who were granted an official position in the Roman Empire wore such fibula to communicate this important social distinction.

Primary Keywords

bronze (metal)

brooches

early medieval

fashion

gaul (historical region)

gilding

roman empire (former nation/state/empire)

Secondary Keywords

additive and joining processes and techniques

associated concepts

copper alloy

copper and copper alloy

costume

costume accessories

costume accessories worn

culture and related concepts

culture-related concepts

descriptors

europe (continent)

european

european styles and periods

geographic and political locations

inorganic material

jewelry

jewelry by location

jewelry worn on costume

materials

materials by composition

medieval

medieval styles and periods

metal

metal and metal products

metal by composition or origin

metallizing

nonferrous metal

objects we use

people and culture

pins (jewelry)

processes and techniques

processes and techniques by specific type

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

surface covering processes and techniques

Rights

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Collection

University of Michigan Museum of Art

Image Size

467 x 853

File Size

33 KB

Record

1966/2.17

Link to this Item

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1966-sl-2.17/1966_2.17.jpg content_copy

In public portfolios

Before 1492 (500)

Fashion and adornments in global history (38)

Manifest

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1966-SL-2.17:1966_2.17.JPG content_copy