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Source Description
A fibula was a garment clasp that functioned somewhat like a modern safety pin. Since buttons were not used in antiquity, fibulae were used to keep a cloak closed. They were worn by both men and women, commonly on the right shoulder, and produced in various sizes and shapes. Because they were highly visible accessories, they often received decorative gilding, inlay decoration, or "onion"- shaped domes. Crossbow fibulae were introduced by the Romans and are named for their resemblance to the weapon. Decorative and technical features of this group suggest they may have been made in Roman-occupied Britain.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
111697
label
Crossbow Fibula
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
111697
contentType
object
title
Crossbow Fibula
description
A fibula was a garment clasp that functioned somewhat like a modern safety pin. Since buttons were not used in antiquity, fibulae were used to keep a cloak closed. They were worn by both men and women, commonly on the right shoulder, and produced in various sizes and shapes. Because they were highly visible accessories, they often received decorative gilding, inlay decoration, or "onion"- shaped domes. Crossbow fibulae were introduced by the Romans and are named for their resemblance to the weapon. Decorative and technical features of this group suggest they may have been made in Roman-occupied Britain.
date
c. 350–400
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q60755440
genreSpecific
Jewelry
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 8.6 x 7 cm (3 3/8 x 2 3/4 in.)
cul
Gallo-Roman or Romano-British, Migration period, 4th century
accession
1930.225
Source extras
tec
bronze, gilt-bronze, silver, and niello
tombstone
Crossbow Fibula, c. 350–400. Gallo-Roman or Romano-British, Migration period, 4th century. Bronze, gilt-bronze, silver, and niello; overall: 8.6 x 7 cm (3 3/8 x 2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1930.225
collection
MED - Migration Period
creditline
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:54:55.190000
sourceId
111697
dept
Medieval Art
coll
MED - Migration Period
med
bronze, gilt-bronze, silver, and niello
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
b09dd092e5c25983