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Pin (fibula)
Italic or Italic, Etruscan
Orientalizing Period
early 7th century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Bronze, amber, gold
Dimensions
Length: 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss C. Wissmann
Accession Number02.305
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Fibulae
Catalogue Raisonné
Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Bronzes (MFA), no. 321.
DescriptionThe leech-shaped fibula (pin) is composed of a crescent-shaped carved amber ornament overlaid with stripes of gold with diagonal hatching and fitted onto a bronze pin and sheath. Corroded.
ProvenanceAccording to the MFA Annual Report for 1902 the Buffum collection included a group of objects that "were all found at Palestrina many years ago, in the excavations conducted by Signor Castellani, Mr. Buffum being present at the time of their discovery"; by date unknown: William Arnold Buffum Collection (died 1901); 1901: inherited by Miss Charlotte Wissmann; May 1, 1902: gift of Miss Charlotte Wissmann to MFA