Purse Mount
Unknown Artist
first half of the 7th century
Medium
base silver or copper alloy (frame and cloisons), glass
Dimensions
Overall: 4 13/16 x 1 1/8 x 3/8 in. (12.3 x 2.8 x 1 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture
Frankish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.163
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of early medieval Europe with this exquisite *Purse Mount*, crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the first half of 7th century. Hailing from the Merovingian era—the height of Frankish power under kings like Clovis and his successors—this small yet stunning metalwork piece (4 13/16 x 1 1/8 x 3/8 in.) adorned the purses of the elite, serving as both a practical fastener and a symbol of wealth and status.ated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917 by J. Pierpont Morgan, it now resides in the Medieval Art department, offering a glimpse into daily life among the Frankish...