Mount from a Knife Handle
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Gold, iron blade
Dimensions
Overall: 6 1/2 x 13/16 x 3 1/8 in. (16.5 x 2 x 8 cm) a-iron blade: 6 7/16 x 11/16 x 1/4 in. (16.3 x 1.8 x 0.7 cm) b-gold knife handle: 1 3/8 x 1/2 x 1/4 in. (3.5 x 1.2 x 0.6 cm) c-gold foil: 1 x 3/8 x 1/16 in. (2.5 x 1 x 0.2 cm) d-gold tip: 1 1/8 x 3/4 x 3/16 in. (2.9 x 1.9 x 0.5 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
17.191.92a–d
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Mount from a Knife Handle crafted in the 6th century by an unknown Frankish artisan, a glimpse into the opulent world of early medieval Europe.ailing from the Meroving period—the era of the Frankish kingdoms that laid the foundations of modern France—this piece combines a practical iron blade with lavish gold components, including a handle mount, foil, and tip. Measuring just over 6½ inches overall, its compact form belies its status as a prestige object, likely owned by or warriors. The artistry shines in the meticulous gold metalwork, a hallmark of Frankish metalworking tech...