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Roman Bronze Turtle-Head Fibula with Enamel Inlay – “Lucius” (2nd c. AD) Aurora Antiqua

Roman Bronze Fibula 'Lucius' (2nd c. AD)

€580,00

Material:

  • Bronze

Era:

  • Roman

Rarity:

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Every piece ships from Belgium, fully insured and tracked, with its certificate of authenticity.

European Union

  • Shipping is free, insured and tracked.
  • Dispatched within 1–3 business days, delivered 1–3 business days later.

Outside the EU

  • Shipping is a flat €95 per order, however many pieces. It covers the EU export licence and insured DHL Express (2–5 business days after dispatch).
  • Every antiquity leaving the EU needs an official EU export licence. We apply for it on your behalf (included in the €95); approval takes about 3 weeks before dispatch. The licence travels with the piece and stays part of its provenance.
  • Import duties and taxes are not included. They are charged on top by your country's customs.

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Description

A Roman bronze equal-ended fibula featuring a central lozenge-shaped plate and zoomorphic terminals stylized as turtle heads. The lozenge panel retains traces of its original green enamel, a hallmark of this fibula type. Both terminals display carefully carved detailing typical of provincial Roman workshops of the 2nd century AD. The original pin is missing, as expected for archaeological brooches, but the body remains complete with an appealing dark patina.

Details
Material: Bronze with residual green enamel
Date: Roman Empire, 2nd Century AD
Dimensions: Length c. 55.2 mm; Width c. 32.8 mm
Provenance: Private European collection, acquired in the late 20th century
Unique Identifier: F-01-B
Condition: Good archaeological condition; pin missing; stable patina and preserved detailing

Restoration and Authenticity
This fibula has been lightly cleaned and carefully stabilised to preserve its archaeological surface while ensuring secure long-term handling. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Historical Context
Equal-ended fibulae with zoomorphic terminals circulated widely across the Roman provinces during the 2nd century AD. The turtle-head form, especially with enamelled central panels, is well documented in Hattatt, including close parallels to no. 1099. These brooches served both as clothing fasteners and as personal decorative items, reflecting the fusion of Roman stylistic norms with local provincial craftsmanship.

Care

To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.

Authenticity

Each artifact we offer has been carefully examined by qualified professionals to ensure its authenticity. Our assessment considers historical style, craftsmanship, materials, and the wider typology of comparable pieces.

Because historical scholarship evolves, we offer a lifelong authenticity guarantee: if two independent, accredited laboratories ever determine that an item is not genuine, we will refund you in full.

What size is this ring?

The EU size of this ring is:

The US size of this ring is:


You can find information about ring sizes and how to determine your own, here.

Provenance and authenticity documentation available for every piece.

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