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Responding to the query on the previous page, Renate offers these comments:

These are fragments of a unique brooch style called "Fluegelfibel" (winged fibula) and part of a girl/female dress from the 1st and 2nd century A.D. originating from Noricum and Pannonia. They were worn in pairs and quite often of imposing size (up to 21 cm; "the later the bigger the more Northeast" to say it simple). The type is quite rare, and complete pieces are extremely rare. Usually the catch-plate is missing or gone.

They were developed in the few decades just before the turn of the modern era, worn as singles by men then and quite small (see the attached Demetz pages for details). I can't find any details about the particular reason for the "strange bits". Maybe they're just an exaggeration of the design of origin. Some related styles have animal masks and figures for decoration, I wonder if these were taurus horns or something like that originally.

Best wishes,

Renate

References:

Die norisch-pannonische Frauentracht im 1. und 2. Jahrhundert

Author:Jochen Garbsch Publisher: München : Beck, 1965.

and

Die Fibeln vom Magdalensberg : Funde der Grabungsjahre 1948 - 2002 und Altfunde des 19. Jahrhunderts

Author: Helga Sedlmayer

Here:

Flugelfibel

Typology: Almgren 238

Dates: c. AD 70-130. The type with two pairs of knobs on the bow was in use to AD 150.

Distribution: Pannonia and Noricum.

Notes: The Roman provincial fibula type is part of the kraftig profilierte group though the latter term is not always applied to it. The single knot has become a complicated design consisting of a pair of raised semi-circular loop each with one or two small knobs on it. This design is thought to resemble a pair of wings giving the fibula type its name - flügel fibula is German for "wing fibula". These are usually very large fibula and often have a perforated foot.

With thanks to Forum Ancient Coins

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