Disk Brooch

Unknown

6th century · Silver, garnets; gilt with patterned foil backings, emeralds; silver back with gilt, beaded edge; no spring/pin extant · Medieval Art

Garnets, worked in the cloisonné technique, featured prominently in the luxury jewelry of the Franks. Jewelers would solder small compartments arranged in geometric patterns onto the surface of a metal disk. In those cells, or cloisons, they would place a textured piece of gold foil, which would show through the thin translucent garnet that would then be set on top.

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th century

Medium

Silver, garnets; gilt with patterned foil backings, emeralds; silver back with gilt, beaded edge; no spring/pin extant

Culture

Frankish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917