S-Shaped Brooch
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Silver-cast relief and settings; chased, punched; garnets, gilt; iron pin.
Dimensions
Overall: 1 9/16 x 1 1/16 x 3/8 in. (4 x 2.7 x 0.9 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
Frankish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.192.1
Art Historical Context
This exquisite S-Shaped Brooch crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the 6th, exemplifies the masterful metalwork of early medieval Europe. Hailing from the Merovingian period—when the Franks ruled much of post-Roman Gaul—this small jewelry piece (just 1 9/16 x 1 1/16 inches) was likely used to fasten cloaks or garments, serving both practical and prestigious functions. Its sinuous S-form echoes designs popular among Germanic tribes during the Migration Period, blending functionality with elegant ornamentation. The brooch's construction highlights sophisticated techniques: cast silver rel...