Roman, Imperial Period, probably from Britain but may also be from northern Gaul (France), ca. late 2nd century CE. A pretty example of one of the most distinctive artifact types from the interplay of Roman and Celtic culture: a brass fibula or brooch with inlaid enamel in white, blue, and red. The brooch is annular, with a central raised boss that perhaps called to mind the wheel of a chariot for its maker and wearer, all flanked by a pair of circular projections. Size: 1.8" W x 1.3" H (4.6 cm x 3.3 cm); 1.9" H (4.8 cm) on included custom stand.Brooches were used to fasten the ubiquitous clothing item of cold, damp Roman Britain - the cloak - and were an essential part of the Roman wardrobe for centuries. In southern Britain, the technique of enameling developed ca. 200 BCE from the use of coral and then opaque red glass to decorate bronze, silver, and gold objects. Once the Romans colonized Britain from 43 CE, they became enamored with the enamel style and used it on many small objects, the most popular of which was the brooch. The development of different colors of enamel allows us to date these pretty objects. Blue was one of the last colors to enter the decorative palette and places this brooch in the late 2nd century CE; the use of 3 colors then limits it to approximately before the 3rd century CE, when style shifted so that brooches became predominantly just blue and white. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Eldert Bontekoe collection, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #172098