Disk Brooch
Unknown Artist
first half of the 6th century
Medium
Copper alloy, garnets, green glass, with patterned foil backings...
Dimensions
Overall: 7/8 x 1/4 in. (2.2 x 0.6 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Copper alloy
Culture
Frankish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.14
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Disk Brooch, crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the first half of the 6th century, exemplifies the masterful metalwork of the early Medieval period. Hailing from the Merovingian era—when the Franks dominated much of Western Europe—this small copper alloy piece (just 7/8 x 1/4 inches) served as a functional clasp for clothing while doubling as a symbol of status and wealth. Its diminutive size belies its grandeur, reflecting the portable luxury favored by elite warriors and nobility during the Migration Period. The brooch's artistry shines through its intricate inlays of ...