Works of Art
Merovingian Silver Gilt Fibula
Period: 6th - 7th century A.D.
Culture: Dark Age
Category: Array
Dimensions: Height: 9.0 cm
Price: CHF 46000, USD 46000
Provenance: Sotheby's London, December 1995. Ex-European private collecion.
Condition: Outstanding condition, with much of the gilding remaining.
Description
A fine handled fibula in gilded silver that uses the techniques of chisel-work and repoussé to provide rich ornamentation. The top of the fibula decorated with the schematised head of an animal where the eyes and the muzzle are gracefully drawn thanks to delicate carving. The head of the fibula is an arc of a circle terminated by five ribbed buttons. This beautiful example of a fibula was developed under the influence of the jewelry of the Ostrogoths and the Romans by the Merovingian and Alaman tribes between the second half of the 5th century and the first half of the 6th century. One can see during this period a concentration of fibulae in gilded silver and niello, which became rare objects after this date.
Fibulas were typical objects from the “barbarian” populations from to the North of the Alps. Typically found in women’s tombs, they would be used to hold garments together. Fibulas would come in different shapes and sizes, and were made of bronze, silver and gold, with various inlays and decorations.
Bibliography
- HUBERT J. et al., « L’Europe des invasions », 1967, fig. 223, 236, 243, 261
- CHRISTLEIN R., « Die Alamannen, Archäologie eines Lebendiges Volkes », 1979, p77.