Name: Merovingian Gilded Silver Bow Brooch with Garnet - 7th to 8th Century CE | Rare Medieval Cross Form
Brand: Exclusive Collectibles
SKU: 100016
Price: 970.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Merovingian Gilded Silver Bow Brooch with Garnet - 7th to 8th Century CE | Rare Medieval Cross Form

$970.00

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Estimated time period from 600CE to 800CE
Size is 60 mm and weight is 10.49 g

Provenance Information

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Discover the grandeur of the early Medieval period with this exquisite Merovingian Gilded Silver Bow Brooch. Embodying the rare cross form, this piece from the 7th to 8th Century CE features garnet and stone embellishments. With its significant size of 60mm in diameter and a weight of 10.488 grams, it's a testament to the artistry and spirituality of the era. Previously held in a UK private collection, this brooch offers a unique connection to the past.

Embrace the essence of Merovingian craftsmanship with this gilded silver bow brooch, a fine relic from the 7th to 8th Century CE. The Merovingians, known for their sophisticated metalwork, often incorporated religious symbolism into their designs. This brooch, with its cross form, highlights the cultural importance of Christianity during the period.

The use of gilded silver, a technique involving the application of a thin gold layer over silver, was reserved for items of importance, indicating the high status of its original owner. The embellishment with garnet and stones is not merely decorative; garnets were believed to have protective properties and were highly prized during the medieval times.

The materials for this brooch likely originated from various locations. Silver was commonly extracted from mines in the Saxony and Harz regions, while garnets were typically traded from the Indian Subcontinent, reflecting the extensive trade networks of the time.

Rare for its design and age, this brooch may have functioned not just as a clothing fastener but also as a symbol of protection and status. The inclusion of a cross suggests it may have been worn by someone of Christian faith, possibly to display devotion or to seek spiritual safeguarding.

The brooch's condition, while showing signs of wear consistent with its age, maintains the integrity of its original form and decoration. Such an artifact would appeal to collectors interested in early Christian art, Merovingian culture, or medieval jewelry.

Franks, Garnet, Gem, Gilded Silver, Medeival Europe, Merovingian

The Merovingian silver gilded bow brooch with garnet and stone inlays is a remarkable piece from the Medieval Period, specifically dating between the 7th to 8th Century CE. Its cross-like form is indicative of the Christian symbolism that permeated Merovingian artistry following the conversion of the Frankish peoples. The use of garnet inlay work suggests a high-status owner, as such detail was reserved for the elite. The juxtaposition of garnet with the gilded silver, a technique known as garnet cloisonné, was a hallmark of Merovingian finery. Each stone and metal's placement was not merely ornamental but held significance, likely symbolizing status or belief. The brooch's condition, with observable wear, authenticates its historical journey, enhancing its desirability among collectors of medieval artifacts.