Flat Circular Button
Unknown Artist
7th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 13/16 x 9/16 in. (2 x 1.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Bronze
Culture
Late Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.268
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval collection, this unassuming *Flat Circular Button* offers a tangible glimpse into the everyday artistry of the 7th. Crafted from copper alloy—a durable and versatile metal common in Late Roman metalwork—this small disc measures just 13/16 x 9/16 inches (2 x 1.5 cm), perfect for fastening garments in a world transitioning from antiquity to the early Middle Ages. Its flat, circular form exemplifies practical design elevated by skilled craftsmanship, likely produced through casting or hammering techniques typical of the era. Though the artist ...