Ca. 700-600 BC
A pair of bronze brooches, Sanguisuga type. Each brooch features a thick arched bow, a long catch, a two-coiled spring, and a straight pin. The Sanguisuga brooches bear transverse bands of ridged and dotted decoration on their bows, adding a sense of texture and visual interest to the overall design. The incised and punched decoration further enhances the brooches.

The term "Sanguisuga" refers to a specific type of brooch used in Etruscan and Roman cultures. The name derives from the Latin word for "leech," which alludes to the brooch's resemblance to the segmented body of a leech. The Sanguisuga brooches played a crucial role in Etruscan society as fasteners for garments, particularly for securing cloaks or tunics at the shoulder. They were not merely utilitarian objects but also served as adornments, reflecting the wearer's social status and sense of style. For a similar example, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 25.78.114.
 
Provenance: Private London collection, B.A.; formerly in a pre-2000 European collection.