4th century AD. A finely-made crossbow brooch with three facetted onion-shaped knops, deep bow and rectangular footplate; the upper face of the arm with pierced transverse plaques, the bow with running line of crow's foot punchmarks with niello inlay, extending across the centre of the footplate; punched niello-inlaid guilloche to one lateral face of the bow and niello-inlaid text 'SPES ... BONA' (good hope) with guilloche between; chamfered sides to the footplate, hinged pin and catchplate to the reverse. Cf. Hattatt, R. Iron Age and Roman Brooches, Oxford, 1985, item 502. 20 grams, 64mm (2 1/2"). From an Austrian private collection. The Latin phrase 'spes bona dat vires' means 'good hope gives strength'. It is taken from the work of Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid) in the Epistula XI (Canace Macareo). TimeLine Auctions Ltd arranges printed catalogue rostrum Auctions, eAuctions and Timed Auctions where we offer antiquities, ancient artefacts / artifacts, antiques, collectibles, coins, medals and books for public sale.

Fine condition.