One of a Pair of Gold Cloisonné Earrings
Unknown Artist
500–550
Medium
Gold, garnets with patterned foil backings, green stone; garnets with unpatterned foil backings are restorations
Dimensions
Overall: 1 9/16 x 1 5/16 x 9/16 in. (3.9 x 3.3 x 1.4 cm) bead: 9/16 x 1/2 in. (1.4 x 1.2 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
17.191.86
Art Historical Context
These exquisite gold cloisonné earrings, dating to 500–550 AD, from the Frankish culture of early medieval Europe, a time when the Meroving Franks were consolidating power across Gaul and beyond. Crafted by an unknown artisan, this earring—one of a matching pair—showcases the era's masterful metalwork. Thin gold wires form delicate cells (cloisons) filled with polished garnets backed by patterned foil to amplify their fiery sparkle, alongside vibrant green stone for contrast. Some garnets feature later restorations with unpatterned foil, preserving the piece's allure. Measuring just 1 9/16 x ...