Middle Ages Jewellery

merovingian fibulae, bibliothèque nationale de france.



6th century bronze eagle-shaped visigothic cloisonné fibula guadalajara, spain, using glass-paste fillings in imitation of garnets.

post-roman europe continued develop jewellery making skills. celts , merovingians in particular noted jewellery, in terms of quality matched or exceeded of byzantine empire. clothing fasteners, amulets, and, lesser extent, signet rings, common artefacts known us. particularly striking celtic example tara brooch. torc common throughout europe symbol of status , power. 8th century, jewelled weaponry common men, while other jewellery (with exception of signet rings) seemed become domain of women. grave goods found in 6th–7th century burial near chalon-sur-saône illustrative. young girl buried with: 2 silver fibulae, necklace (with coins), bracelet, gold earrings, pair of hair-pins, comb, , buckle. celts specialised in continuous patterns , designs, while merovingian designs best known stylised animal figures. not groups known high quality work. note visigoth work shown here, , numerous decorative objects found @ anglo-saxon ship burial @ sutton hoo suffolk, england particularly well-known example. on continent, cloisonné , garnet perhaps quintessential method , gemstone of period.

byzantine wedding ring.

the eastern successor of roman empire, byzantine empire, continued many of methods of romans, though religious themes came predominate. unlike romans, franks, , celts, however, byzantium used light-weight gold leaf rather solid gold, , more emphasis placed on stones , gems. in west, byzantine jewellery worn wealthier females, male jewellery apparently restricted signet rings. woman s jewellery had peculiarities kolts decorated headband. other contemporary cultures, jewellery commonly buried owner.