Badge or Harness Pendant
Unknown Artist
14th century
Medium
Copper, gold, enamel
Dimensions
H. 2 1/2 in. (6.3 cm); W. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); Wt. 1 oz. (28.3 g)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Badges
Culture
possibly Spanish
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.3.410
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 14th-century badge or harness pendant, possibly from Spain, exemplifies the intricate metalwork of medieval Europe. Crafted from copper with gilding and vibrant enamel, it measures just 2½ inches high and weighs a mere ounce, making it a delicate yet durable accessory. The use of enamel—a glass-like material fused to metal via techniques like champlevé— luminous colors and fine details, a of Gothic-era craftsmanship prized for its jewel-like quality. Lions, evoked in the tags, likely feature prominently, symbolizing strength and nobility in heraldry. Housed in the Metropolitan ...