AN ETRUSCAN GOLD FIBULA

The fibula is of sanguisuga form, which is characterized by a hollow arched bow and long narrow catch plate. The surface is embellished with typically fine granulation, including a geometric and floral decoration with the flat part of the catch plate decorated with a delicate frieze of ducks. For similar fibulae, cf. M. Cristofani & M. Martelli, L'Oro degli Etruschi, Novara, 1983, pp. 139-143, and p. 109 for a fibula decorated with three dimensional ducks. For similar meander patter across the top in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, see acc. no. 31.11.1.