Medieval Brooch & Fibula
A fibula, derived from the Latin **fibula**, which means clasp, is essentially a metal safety pin that fastens your **garment**. Fibulae have existed since the Bronze Age in various forms such as the **omega fibula**, **disc fibula**, **bow fibula**, **thistle fibula**, and **ring fibula**, which were used up until the High Middle Ages. The decorative variant is usually colloquially called a brooch, which has even persisted to the present day. Fibulae were primarily used to hold together dresses, cloaks, and capes, replacing garment pins in the Middle Ages. In contrast to the plain fibulae of the **Romans** and Greeks, fibulae were also used by the **Franks** as a status symbol and piece of jewelry, which resulted in incredibly elaborate and detailed fibulae being produced as early as the Early Middle Ages. Among the Vikings, the shell or tortoise fibulae of women, made of bronze and silver, hold a special place. They were elaborately and intricately crafted and are even today **masterpieces** of Viking Age jewelry smiths!
What should I consider when buying my fibula?
The most important thing is the purpose for which you want to buy a fibula or brooch. If it's intended to hold, for example, a light **pearl necklace** as a piece of jewelry, you can confidently choose a fibula made of noble **silver** or robust **bronze** that you like. However, if you want to fasten or close your heavy wool cloak with a fibula, then by **all** means choose a forged fibula made of **steel**! If you want to portray a **Viking** or buy a pair of our beautiful tortoise fibulae as a **gift** for your wife, make sure they are designated as Viking fibulae. For brooches, we generally recommend that they should rather close light fabrics or be used purely as a piece of jewelry in the **Middle Ages** or **LARP**.
