Specific variants of gold and silver early zwiebelknopf fibulae from eastern Serbia

Abstract

The discovery of fragmented silver fibula with twice bent bow in the necropolis by the castellum Ravna (Timacum Minus) as well as inspection of some specimens of gold zwiebelknopf fibulae from the collections of the National Museum in Belgrade and Museum of Krajina in Negotin have drawn our attention to some finds of gold and silver fibulae from eastern Serbia and Romania that, according to their shape and decoration, represent specific variants in the initial phase of development of the zwiebelknopf fibulae. They are classified into three groups on the basis of their typological traits and their production is connected to Aurelian’s withdrawal from Dacia (group I), Diocletian’s victories over barbarians in the Danube basin (group II) and Constantine’s decennalia, i.e. his preparations for encounter with Licinius (group III).

Keywords

• zwiebelknopf fibulae
• imperial donations
• gold jewelry
• silver jewelry