Silver-gilt fibula in the form of an eagle with garnet inlays

Merovingian, 6th century AD

Height: 3 cm

The flat brooch depicts the bird in side view with long, curved beak, small claws protruding from the chest . The eye, tail and wing defined with cloisonné inlays. The pin is now missing but the hinge and catch-plate survive.

Condition: Intact, one garnet cracked, some rubbing of the gilding

Literature: See Richard Hattatt, 'Brooches of Antiquity' (Oxford, 1987) pp. 323-325, no. 1320 for a very similar example of the type. Variations of the type are on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc.no.171.191.168) including examples entirely inlaid with garnet (acc.no. 17.191.164). They are found throughout much of Northern Europe and include Angla-Saxon examples (acc.no. 17.191.19 and 17.191.74).

Provenance: Private collection, Germany, acquired prior to 1983

£2,200