Ancient Roman Decorated Silver Bow Fibula with Original Iron pin + Spring. 250-300AD, Roman Britain

A rare example of a mid-to-late Roman silver bow fibula, this piece is functional, robust, and retains its original iron pin and spring, a feature often lost over time. The bow is solid and fairly thick, with simple incised decoration in a cross-hatched zig-zag pattern — characteristic of practical Roman design rather than luxury ornamentation.

The external iron spring remains intact, visible as a coiled, heavily corroded mass at the head, while the long, straight iron pin runs beneath the bow into a the preserved catch plate. Unlike later fibulae, this example has no hinge mechanism, instead it features a spring mechanism, preserving the straightforward construction typical of Roman military and civilian utility items.

A true window into the material culture of Roman Britain, this fibula combines durability, practical design, and subtle decorative interest.

Specimen Details

Specimen: Decorated Silver bow fibula 

Age / Era: Circa 250–300 AD, Mid-Late Roman Period

Material: Silver body with iron pin and spring

Decoration: Incised cross-hatched zig-zag pattern

Origin: Roman Britain (Southern England)

Provenance: UK metal detecting find

Length: 44 mm

Weight: 4.5 g

Type: Non-hinged bow fibula (spring mechanism)