3D Horse Fibula(?) 40mm, no pin

[Joe Sermarini]

 
40mm long, no pin

I think this is a fibula fragment.  Refs, dates, region?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[SC]

At first glance it looks like a fragment of the typical horse fibula, which was apparently centred in the middle Danube region and dates 2nd - 3rd c AD.  The size is right too.

However, yours looks to be in the round/3-D.  The usual horse fibula has a flat back.

There is also a 3-D horse fibula - I think there are images on the wiki - which is derived from the knee type and has a wide spring at the rear feet/tail area.  They were found in the Pannonias (similar dates).  Might be a fragment of that.  Could also be a small statue.

A front or 45 degree view might help.

Shawn

[quadrans]

My opinion : Could be a small statue or fragment of statue..
 I have so many horse fibulae both of the plate and 3D form (some of them in my Gallery), but not exactly similar or same ....
both of the four legs are visible and I have no idea which way the pin was aplicated ??

 Regards
 Q.

[Mayadigger]

Ave Joe et al,

My opinion : Could be a small statue or fragment of statue..
 I have so many horse fibulae both of the plate and 3D form (some of them in my Gallery), but not exactly similar or same ....
both of the four legs are visible and I have no idea which way the pin was aplicated ??

 Regards
 Q.

I'm leaning towards Quads opinion here - I, too, see no areas where pins could or would have been applied. Also, all of the horses legs have been plow-broken/disintegrated and what is/was the missing part from the horse's head? That is quite unusual.

Thinking outside the box, your piece may not be a brooch, but perhaps a votive item...or perhaps even a child's toy? What do I know? 

Best,

Kevin