Disk Brooch

Art Historical Context

This delicate Disk Brooch, crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the second half of 6th century, the opulent metalwork of the early Merovingian period in post-Roman Europe. Measuring just 15/16 x 1/2 inches, this tiny treasure—made of silver-gilt adorned with garnets featuring intricate patterned foil backings and pearl—was likely worn to fasten cloaks or garments, serving as both a practical accessory and a bold statement of wealth and status the Frankish elite. brooch's artistry shines through sophisticated techniques. The silver-gilt base provided a lustrous golden sheen, while the garnets, set with meticulously cut foil underneath, created a dazzling play of light through translucency and pattern—a hallmark of Migration Period jewelry that mimicked the sparkle of more precious gems. The inclusion of a pearl added rare organic luxury, highlighting the artisan's access to diverse materials via trade routes spanning the Mediterranean and beyond. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department as a gift from J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, this brooch offers a window into Frankish society, where such finely wrought objects bridged Roman traditions and emerging medieval styles, symbolizing power in an era of kingdom-building.