100-200 AD. Roman. A bronze zoomorphic brooch in the form of a duck in flight, holding a branch in its mouth. The duck bears engraved dot-in-circle motifs on its body and tail; the catch plate is still visible on the reverse. Brooches were an important element of Roman dress, used to fasten clothing but they also served as dress accessories in their own right. Thousands of different types and subtypes of Roman brooches are attested, and they seem to have played an important role in Roman people’s self-expression. For more information on Roman brooches see Richard Hattatt. 2000. A Visual Catalogue of Richard Hattatt's Ancient Brooches. Oxbow Books. Good condition. Size: L:32mm / W:43mm ; 7g; Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.