Fibula, fragment
Unknown Artist
7th–6th century BCE
Medium
Amber
Dimensions
Other: 1/4 x 3/4 x 15/16 in. (0.7 x 1.9 x 2.4 cm)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Amber
Culture & Period
Etruscan · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, 1896
Accession Number
96.9.495
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of an Etruscan fibula dating to the 7–6th century BCE offers a glimpse into the Archaic period of one of ancient Italy's most enigmatic cultures. The Etruscans, in central Italy before the rise of Rome, were renowned for their sophisticated metalwork and jewelry, often blending local traditions with influences from Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. Fibulae like this served as practical brooches to fasten clothing, but they were also status symbols, adorning the elite with intricate designs. Crafted from amber—a rare, golden resin sourced from Baltic Sea shores and t...