Page 72 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol 13(2) (2025)

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the pin (Blečić Kavur 2010, pl. 40, 546; 41, 553; 219). The incised decorative and symbolic-se-
44, 585). mantic programme on the discs of the Osor ex-
The origin of this fibula can be reliably amples is varied and non-uniform, and in detail
traced to italic fibulae a disco (Merhart 1942, fig. does not correspond to Liburnian specimens (fig.
1, pl. 2; Trachsel 2004, 198–218, fig. 127; 134), 6). On Osor fibulae, the most common motif is
which are closely related to single-piece Picene a square, with either concave or straight sides, of-
examples (Lucentini 1999, 258, fig. 478; 2007, ten combined with a so-called patee or Mantu-
104, fig. 6). However, as all Kvarner and north- an cross, of which two examples from Kavane-
ern Dalmatian fibulae are two-part (fig. 6), with la have been preserved. In fact, these two motifs
amber beads added to the long pin, this fibula appear in much smaller numbers and in differ-
has been defined as characteristic luxury jewel- ent compositions on fibulae from Nin (graves 10,
lery of the second phase of the Liburnian culture 3/49) (fig. 6, 7–8).
72 (Batović 1987, 350, pl. 37, 13; 38, 21), as well as of A motif characteristic of the Liburnian
the Kvarner cultural group (Blečić Kavur 2010, area is the swastika, depicted in various forms
140, fig. 279; 2021, 537–8), with widespread use or combined with the schematised frog motif
studia universitatis hereditati, letnik 13 (2025), številka 2 / volume 13 (2025), number 2
throughout the 8th century BCE (Kukoč 2013). on the Krk (II) variant fibula, as seen in Nin
In this way, a distinct local expression in attire grave 26 (fig. 6, 10) (Batović 1976, fig. 13; 1987,
was manifested, while typical jewellery elements pl. 37, 13; Glogović 2003, 45). This motif also ap-
from the wider Adriatic basin were adopted, pears on the Osor variant fibula from the grave
highlighting the possibility of regional produc- at Mala Prepoved (fig. 7, 1), but aside from the
tion specifically in the Kvarner area and north- type of fibula, it differs in execution. In addi-
ern Dalmatia. tion to the swastika, the bird motif is absent
Fibulae from Osor (Mladin 1960, 219, 222, from the iconographic programme of the Osor
pl. 13; Glogović 1982a, 74–84, pl. 2–4; 1982b, 36, examples, whereas it dominates, rendered in
fig. 2, 4–6; 1989, pl. 22, 3–7; 23, 5), Nin (Batović various ways, on Liburnian fibulae. The cross
1968, pl. 10, 2; 1976, fig. 13, 4; Hiller 1991, 53–6, and St Andrew’s cross motifs are so far known
pl. 8, 97; 27, 300; 30, 343; Majnarić-Pandžić 1998, only from Osor and, like the polygonal beads
fig. 134), and Zaton (Batović 1965, fig. 14, 1; Hill- and the round disc on the pin, represent its dis-
er 1991, pl. 49, 517; Glogović 2003, 43–4, pl. 43– tinctiveness (fig. 6). Glogović associated the
6), which belong to the eponymous type and var- cross motif on the Osor fibula more closely with
iant, are morphologically very similar. They are related fibulae from the Terni necropolis, high-
distinguished by ornamentation, i.e., the icono- lighting a possible stronger Italic influence on
graphic content of exclusively geometric motifs the workshop producing the Osor examples,
on the foot disc, of which only the fibula from which probably operated in Osor itself (Glogo-
the tumulus at Sv. Marija stands out with a com- vić 1989, 27; 2003, 45; Blečić Kavur 2010, 140;
pletely different concept (fig. 5, 6; 6, 1). Even the 2021, 537–8).
shape of the amber bead on the pin was not en- The spectacle fibulae, bow-shaped fibulae
tirely identical, as Liburnian fibulae have round with amber bead on the bow, and Osor-type fib-
beads, whereas Osor examples have polygonal ulae from graves 5 and 6 thus provided the only
beads (Blečić Kavur 2010, pl. 40, 546; 41, 553; basis for determining the upper chronological
44, 586–95). Despite the description, Palavestra limit of their appearance in both Osor and the
does not differentiate between these two bead wider Kvarner region. Accordingly, the female
types, but classifies them under Type 69, asso- individual from grave 5, and the younger indi-
ciated with the fibula (Palavestra 1993, 58–9, 63, viduals from graves 4 and 7, were placed with-
1 Chronologically and geographically, the closest parallels to the polygonal beads are from the Casa di Ricovero in Este (Chieco
Bianchi and Calzavara Capuis 1985, pl. 298, 235e).