Fine Frankish / Ostrogoth Gilt Silver & Glass Fibula

Western / Central Europe, Franks or Ostrogoths, ca. 5th to 6th century CE. An incredible 76% silver fibula or brooch of elegant form featuring a crescent-shaped head with a series of 5 radiating knobs of silver and orange glass inlays decorating its perimeter, bridged via a thick curved bow to a lozenge-shaped foot. Boasting lovely gilding and a lustrous dark golden hue, the entire piece is gorgeously decorated with intricately impressed motifs of swirling filigrees encased in a zig-zag border, except on the bow where the border design instead serves as a central rib. This richly ornamented piece would have been of great value to its elite owner, so much so that it likely accompanied the owner to the afterlife! A gorgeous piece of wearable art quite literally loved to death! Size: 4.25" L x 2.3" W (10.8 cm x 5.8 cm); silver quality: 76%; gold quality: 5%; weight: 59.8 grams

Cf. The Morgan Library and Museum website, accession number: 2012.2:51a,b.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, acquired in October 2020; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#166939
Condition Report: Small stable chip and fissure to central glass inlay, otherwise excellent. Intact with dark toning and mineral deposits in recessed areas and on verso. Areas of green and russet patina on the back.