Northern Italy, Villanovan culture, ca. 9th to 8th century BCE. A large, elegantly-formed brooch, made from a continuous piece of bronze, shaped into a curve with two loops, one loop leading to a long pin, the other to a hammered-flat, roughly hourglass-shaped clasp. Small ring-like flourishes form borders around the loops. The form is a thin version of a sanguisuga brooch, which has been compared to the body of a leech, or possibly a boat. Fibulae of this type are found almost exclusively in the graves of women from the later Villanovan and Etruscan period, although the Greeks seems to have imitated the Etruscan examples in the 7th century BCE. Size: 4.75" W x 2.95" H (12.1 cm x 7.5 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#133171

Pin is frozen in place and there seem to be ancient losses to the corners of the clasp. Otherwise in excellent condition, with a mottled, pale green patina and light encrustation.