Brooch · Hallstatt
Hallstatt boat fibula
800–500 BCE, Hallstatt
The Hallstatt boat fibula is a bronze brooch with a swollen, hollow boat-shaped bow and a long catchplate made in the Alpine and Italic Early Iron Age, about 800 to 500 BCE. It fastened cloaks and was worn by women and men. It is a hallmark of Hallstatt and Villanovan graves.
| Object | Brooch |
|---|---|
| Dates | 800–500 BCE |
| Period | Hallstatt |
| Cultures | Hallstatt |
| Regions | Europe — Western & Central, Europe — Mediterranean |
Diagnostic traits
Bronze fibula with a swollen, boat-shaped hollow bow, a long catchplate and incised decoration; Italic and Alpine distribution.
Identification
The hollow boat-shaped bow with incised or knobbed decoration and long foot distinguish it from serpentine and drum fibulae of the same period and from La Tène brooches, whose foot turns back. Leech (sanguisuga) fibulae are the solid, less swollen relative. Springs are one- or two-coil.
Reproductions and fakes
Reproduced and patinated for the market; genuine fibulae show wear at the spring and catch and a stratified patina. Restored pins are common.
Cite this article
Stratum Strata. "Hallstatt boat fibula" (Artifact type). Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/strata/types/hallstatt-boat-fibula. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-hallstatt-boat-fibula,
title = {Hallstatt boat fibula},
author = {{Stratum Strata}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/strata/types/hallstatt-boat-fibula}},
year = {2026},
note = {Artifact type article, Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum. Accessed 2026-09-21.}
} Citations carry the pack version and the article's as-of date so they resolve to the same text later. The facts themselves belong to the sources listed below; cite those for the science.