id: 111697 accession number: 1930.225 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1930.225 updated: 2022-01-04 15:09:46.540000 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 title: Crossbow Fibula title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: c. 350-400 creation date earliest: 350 creation date latest: 400 current location: 106A Migration Period & Coptic creditline: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund copyright: --- culture: Gallo-Roman or Romano-British, Migration period, 4th century technique: bronze, gilt-bronze, silver, and niello department: Medieval Art collection: MED - Migration Period type: Jewelry find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 8.6 x 7 cm (3 3/8 x 2 3/4 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE (Paul Mallon, Paris, France). date: footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: digital description: wall 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. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1930.225/1930.225_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1930.225/1930.225_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1930.225/1930.225_full.tif