Ferret

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval collection, this petite copper alloy figurine titled *Ferret* captures the ingenuity of Frankish metalworkers from the mid-6th century. Measuring just 1 5/8 x 3/8 x 3/16 inches, its diminutive scale belies the exquisite craftsmanship involved in casting and detailing this lively depiction of a ferret—a sleek, agile creature often associated with hunting in early medieval Europe. Gifted to the Museum by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, it exemplifies the enduring appeal of portable, finely wrought metal objects from this era. Crafted during the M...