The Brooch Collection
Two Cast Silver Dog Brooches -- These two dog brooches are based on the zoomorphic Roman province design from Britain (around 3rd century CE). They were cast from the same mold, but the mold was modified after the first pour, so the dogs look different. One dog was depletion-gilded then enameled; the other one was oxidized and got a turquoise eye. They look happy running together.
Two Silver Dog Brooches -- Back Side
Hare with a Golden Leg Brooch -- The hare with a golden leg fibula is based on late Roman brooch in the form of a rabbit or a hare (probably 2nd-3rd century CE). The brooch was cast in silver. The casting didn’t work very well, and the rabbit emerged from the mold missing a hind leg. He then was fitted with a “prosthetic” leg, which was cast in a separate mold. The leg was then gilded in pure gold.
Bow Fibula was cast in silver. It is based on the early Medieval bow forms that were common in the 5th to early 7th century CE. There are Frankish, Visigothic, Slavic, and other examples of similar fibulas, but they draw their patterns from the Roman bow fibulas.
