Date: 10th- or 11th-Century Place of Production: Germany Description: This ring consists of multiple elements soldered together to create a rich, micro-architectural form, a feature typical of Ottonian goldsmithing. The varied techniques used in its fabrication resulted in areas of granulation, swabbed and twisted wires, and ribbons of bent wire, as well as cast, punched, and chased…
Date: 970-1030 Place of Production: probably Northern Italy Description: This brooch in the shape of a star is decorated with miniature architectural forms constructed of fine gold filigree and granulation. Within the gold setting are pearls, glass and cloisonné enamelwork. Held at: Metropolitan Museum of New York Accession Number: 17.191.7 Images in Public Domain
Date: Late 9th/Early 10th Century Place of Production: Germany or England Description: This brooch was found in Northumberland, and is made of brass. In its centre, a bird stands with a branch in its beak surrounded by champlevé enamel. Held at: British Museum Accession Number: 1880,0802.165 Images courtesy of the British Museum under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0…
Date: Late 10th/Early 11th Century Place of Production: Germany or England Description: Found in England, this gold and enamel roundel presents the viewer with a vision of the Hand of God pointing downwards – the hand emerges from the blue enamel clouds, separated by a gold cuff. The remainder of the roundel is decorated with…
Date: Late 10th/11th Century Place of Production: Germany(?) Description: Found in England, this gold and enamel object is an example of the cloisonné technique, where wired compartments are inlaid with enamel. The figure depicted within is probably a man, with plants to his left and right, and blue hair! Some parts of the enamel…
Date: 10th Century Place of Production: Bulgaria(?) Description: This delicate and beautiful button may have adorned a scarf or other clothing of either a priest or a layman. Although we do not know much about it, the button is similar to others found at Preslav, the capital of the Bulgarian empire in the early…
Date: c. 1050–1100 Place of Production: Southern France Description: This enamelwork depiction of Christ is created using the champlevé technique. On either side of Christ you will see the letters ‘A’ and ‘W”, these refer to God’s proclamation in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation): “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” We…
