Overview
A fibula is a metal pin with a bow and a catch that grips the point, made of bronze, silver, or gold and often richly worked. It pinned the open edges of a garment together at the shoulder or chest, doing the job that seams and buttons would later take over.
How it is worn
It is pushed through the folds of cloth at the shoulder and snapped into its catch to hold the chiton or peplos closed, worn singly or in pairs and matched to the wearer’s means. A grand fibula was a piece of jewellery displayed as much as used.
History
Fibulae appear in Greece from the Geometric and Archaic periods, evolving through many shapes and reaching great elaboration in gold. As the draped, pinned garment gave way to sewn and fitted dress, the fibula slowly passed from necessity into pure ornament.