Gold Disk Brooch

Art Historical Context

This delicate **Gold Disk Brooch**, crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the 6th–7th century, exemplifies refined metalwork of early medieval Europe Measuring just 1 3/8 x 1/2 inches (3.5 x 1.3 cm), it served as a practical cloak fastener while signaling the wearer's status among the Frankish elite. During the Merovingian period such brooches were essential accessories for nobility, blending utility with opulent decoration often featuring profile motifs, as suggested by its design tags. The brooch's medium—silver-gilt applied over a bronze core, fitted with a sturdy iron pin—highlights s...