Disk Brooch
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Gold, wire, iron core
Dimensions
Overall: 1 x 1/4 in. (2.5 x 0.7 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gold
Culture
Frankish (?)
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.159
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Disk Brooch, dating to the 6th century, exemplifies masterful goldsmithing of early medieval, likely crafted within Frankish culture. Measuring just 1 x ¼ inches (2.5 x 0.7 cm), this tiny jewel was probably used to fasten cloaks or garments, serving as both a practical accessory and a symbol of. Its construction reveals sophisticated techniques: a sturdy iron core provides structural support, overlaid with shimmering gold sheets and delicate wire work, showcasing the era's advanced metalworking skills. Emerging during the Merovingian period—named after the Frankish kings who ru...