Gold sanguisuga-type fibulae (safety pins) with glass paste bows

Unknown

late 8th–early 7th century BCE · Gold, glass · Greek and Roman Art

Glass was a rare and expensive commodity in archaic Italy. A number of fibulae with bows made of glass paste have been excavated at Etruscan sites from Bologna to Veii but all of these have bronze pins and catch plates. Our examples, the only ones known to employ gold, must have significantly enhanced their owner's status.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 8th–early 7th century BCE

Medium

Gold, glass

Culture

Etruscan

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1917