Celtic brooch from the Late La Tène period
This replica of the so-called Birdlip brooch, a Celtic brooch from the Late La Tène period, is based on an archaeological find from England.
This type of brooch derives its name from its characteristic curved ornament resembling a bird’s beak. It is a typical example of insular brooches from the La Tène III period, roughly from 150 BCE to the turn of the Common Era.
The original brooch, which served as the model for this replica, was found near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, England, and is dated to 75–25 BCE—a period marked by Britain’s first intensive contacts with the Roman world.
The original Birdlip brooch was made entirely of gold. This type of brooch likely derives from continental fibula designs and represents a distinct, local British variant from the late La Tène period.
These brooches are characterized by a small head, above which a distinctive tongue- or beak-shaped projection protrudes. The Birdlip brooch was a type of brooch used for a relatively short period, with finds primarily originating from southern and southeastern Britain. Its design may suggest influences from Celtic Gaul.
Celtic Fibulae
Both the Celts and the Romans used brooches, known as fibulae, to fasten their clothing. Over time, a wide variety of shapes and decorative styles emerged, though their basic principle resembles that of a modern safety pin.
Most Celtic fibulae were made of bronze or iron, though gold was also used on rare occasions. Gold brooches were luxury items associated primarily with members of the upper classes and could serve as a symbol of wealth and social status.
-
Dimensions: 4.2 × 1.8 × 0.8 cm
-
Material: bronze
-
Date of the original: 75–25 BCE
-
Period: Late La Tène period
-
Find site of the original: Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England
Related products
