This Celtic iron brooch is a typical representative of the so-called fibulae of the Middle Latène scheme, which were very widespread in Central Europe in the pre-Roman Iron Age.
A certain type of Celtic spiral wire brooch is known as a fibula of the Middle Latène scheme, which is characteristic of the Middle Latène period, i.e. the period from approx. 260 - 120 BC and its brooch types.
Depending on their size, the spiral wire brooches of the Middle Latène scheme were used to fasten either the garment on the shoulders or a cloak. This type of forged iron fibula was used for both Celtic women's and men's costumes.
The Celtic spiral wire fibula measures: 9.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm.
The later Celtic Iron Age, the Latène period, lasted from 450 BC to around 15 BC and takes its name from the site of La Tène, an archaeological site in Marin-Epagnier, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel.
Typical of the mid-Latène brooches are a uniformly high, curved, frame-like bow with an elongated, rectangular to triangular fibula foot, which is bent back towards the bow and attached there. A clamp or ball-shaped cuff often fixes the end piece of the foot to the bow.
The spirals of these Celtic brooches are attached on both sides and usually have four to six loops. Fibulae of the Middle Latène pattern are represented up to the Late Latène period and even into the early Roman imperial period, and are extremely widespread.
They were in use throughout the entire area of influence of the Latène culture and far beyond. Brooches of this type can be traced from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Near East and southern Russia in the east as well as Calabria and Sicily in the south.
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