Pin
Unknown Artist
4th century BCE
Medium
bronze
Classification
Pin
Culture
European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. Ralph M. Chait, 1943
Accession Number
C.I.43.2.12a, b
Art Historical Context
This delicate bronze pin, crafted by an unknown artist in th century BCE Europe, a glimpse into the daily lives and aesthetics of ancient peoples. Dating to the late Iron Age or early Classical period, such pins—often fibulae or dress fasteners—were essential accessories in personal adornment, securing garments like cloaks or tunics. Placed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, highlights how everyday objects doubled as expressions of craftsmanship and identity. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, prized in antiquity for its and workability, allowing artisans to create intric...