Crossbow Brooch

early 400s

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.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Crossbow Brooch
Date: early 400s
Culture: Late Roman or Byzantine
Medium: Cast copper alloy with silver inlay
Dimensions: Overall: 3 11/16 x 2 1/8 x 1 1/4 in. (9.4 x 5.4 x 3.1 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
Credit Line: Purchase, The Kurt Berliner Foundation Gift, 2001
Object Number: 2001.303
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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