Iron Age Bull Fibula

Culture: Middle Europe

Period: 6th-5th century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 12.5 cm long

Price: 800 Euro

Ref: 5227

Provenance: From the old London collection D. D., acquired between 1975 and 1980. Thence Gorny & Mosch Auktion on 16 December 2015, lot 212.

Condition: A small part on the foreleg, possibly with a catch plate missing. Otherwise beautifully preserved.

Description: Bronze fibula in form of a stylized bull, worked out from two parts, dating to the late Hallstatt period. The body, which at the same time serves as the bow, runs in the back in a loop where a vertical tenon sticks out. On this tenon is a separately worked out needle with a disk head riveted. The bull himself with rounded horns, a flat snout and a body grooved throughout. The foreleg possibly had a catch plate, which is missing today. A rare, very interesting example. Possibly from Slovenia or Friuli.