Crossbow Brooch

Late Roman or Byzantine

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 301

A crossbow brooch of the type worn by civil servants in fifth-century Pannonia. Consisting of a relatively long catch plate, substantial bow, and onion-shaped knob, the brooch features silver inlays, adorned with an intricate pattern of zigzag lines and tiny circles and spirals. The safety mechanism for the catchplate is a wedge-shaped safety bar, now amalgamated to the brooch.

Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine

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Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch, Cast copper alloy with silver inlay, Late Roman or Byzantine

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