European Art
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Open Access
Bird-Shaped Brooch
Artist: Unknown Frankish Artist Primary
Date:
500-600
6th century
Dimensions:
1.25 x 0.56 x 0.31 in. (3.18 x 1.43 x 0.79 cm)
Object Type:
Jewelry
Medium and Support:
Silver-gilt on iron
Credit Line:
Lent by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan (17.191.166)
Accession Number:
L2013.13.03
On View:
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
Elite women in the medieval Germanic tribes typically wore pairs of small bird-shaped brooches on their cloaks and garments. These brooches served as symbols of status and wealth. Brooches constructed in this shape and set with garnets, in what is called the cloisonné inlay technique, originated in South Russia. They were fashionable in continental Europe and England for over one hundred years, from the mid-fifth century through the sixth century. This example was worn by a Frankish (also known Merovingian) woman. The bird would have been worn horizontally, as it is displayed here.
Keywords
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jewelry
Ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings, of precious or semiprecious materials worn or carried on the person for adornment; also includes similar articles worn or carried for devotional or mourning purposes.
Ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings, of precious or semiprecious materials worn or carried on the person for adornment; also includes similar articles worn or carried for devotional or mourning purposes.
public domain
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
brooches
Ornamental jewelry made in a variety of forms fastened by a pin. For decorative items, similar in appearance to a brooch, but attached to a garment with a spring fastening, use "clips (jewelry)."
Ornamental jewelry made in a variety of forms fastened by a pin. For decorative items, similar in appearance to a brooch, but attached to a garment with a spring fastening, use "clips (jewelry)."
Portfolio List
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