Merovingian looped fibulae

Merovingian looped fibulae. Early medieval Europe. Mid-sixth century C.E. Silver gilt worked in ligree, with inlays of garnets and other stones.

• STATUS SYMBOLS FOR ELITE PATRONS
• MOST PRESTIGE ADORNMENTS OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
• MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE USED FIBULAE TO FASTEN THEIR GARMENTS
• MADE OF BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD
• DECORATIVE, PRECIOUS STONES
• LIKELY THE POSSESSION OF A WEALTHY MEROVINGIAN WOMAN
• EMBLEMS OF OFFICE AND PRESTIGE
• DECORATIVE PATTERNS ADJUSTED TO THE BASIC SHAPE OF THE OBJECT
• Fibulae (singular: fibula) are brooches that were made popular by Roman military campaigns. They all consist of a body, a pin, and a catch. Ornate fibulae became all the rage in the early middle ages, and are one of the most commonly found objects in barbarian* grave sites.
• The diverse ethnic groups were constantly borrowing from one another, while putting their own spin on things.
• Although precious and intricate, it is a relatively simple design, indicative of the Byzantine/Roman fibulae style.