Silver Fibula: Entwined Snake
Ancient Rome, Circa 1st – mid 2nd Century AD
Size: 3 x 1 1/8 inches (75 x 30 mm) –– Weight: 24.59 gm
A remarkable large anthropomorphic silver brooch depicting a lifelike and detailed snake entwined in an elaborate knot. The upper portion of its body and head are covered in scales and even the back of the brooch shows appropriate banding.
The surface shows a pleasing toned patina. The hinge fulcrum and catch are present, and (not uncommonly) the pin is missing.
Silver fibula are less common than bronze ones and this example is very scarce - not in Hattatt “Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts”.
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans had many representations of snakes in their religious symbology. Rather than being a symbol of evil as in the Judeo-Christian tradition, they were often seen as benign and beneficial. Seen as a symbol of wisdom, healing and eternity, the snake was manifest as an element in the wand of both Hermes and Asclepius, and as companions of both Apollo and Athena.
The fibula was in widespread use throughout the ancient world. The Roman conquests spread the use of the fibula, which became the basis for more complicated brooches. In the severe climate of northern Europe, it routinely functioned as a fastening for a heavy cloak or tunic. The safety-pin type of fibula continued to be used up into the Middle Ages.
