Plaque, Openwork
Unknown Artist
5th–6th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Overall: 2 5/16 x 1 7/8 x 1/16 in. (5.8 x 4.7 x 0.2 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Bronze
Culture
Byzantine
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1947
Accession Number
47.100.92
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze openwork plaque, crafted by an unknown artist in the th–6th century offers a glimpse into the refined metalworking traditions of the Byzantine Empire. just 2 5/16 x 1 7/8 inches, its diminutive size belies the sophistication of its creation, likely intended as a decorative element for jewelry, reliquaries, or ecclesiastical objects. Acquired through the Fletcher Fund in 1947, it now graces the Medieval Art department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The hallmark of this piece is its openwork technique, where artisans skillfully pierced thin bronze sheets (only 1/16 inc...