Brooch

Art Historical Context

This exquisite Merovingian brooch dating to the 8th–9th century, exemplifies the refined metalworking skills of early medieval Europe. Crafted from copper alloy and adorned with champlevé enamel sophisticated technique where troughs are carved into the metal, filled with powdered glass enamel, and fired to create vibrant, durable colors—this tiny jewelry piece (just 13/16 x 1/4 inches) as a practical fastener for clothing while doubling as a status symbol. Merovingian culture, named after the Frankish dynasty that ruled much of Gaul from the 5th to 8th centuries, blended Germanic traditions w...