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Belt Buckle, c. 525-560 (bronze with garnets, glass, mother of pearl, gold foil
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Belt Buckle, c. 525-560 (bronze with garnets, glass, mother of pearl, gold foil
500298 Belt Buckle, c.525-560 (bronze with garnets, glass, mother of pearl, gold foil, traces of gilding; bronze and glass)
by Visigothic (6th century AD); 7.1x2.7x13.2 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: The art of the European Migration Period (3rd-7th centuries AD) is almost exclusively one of personal adornment-a portable art that followed men and women to their graves. Belt buckles with large rectangular attachment plates have been discovered in cemeteries across the Iberian Peninsula-now occupied by Spain and Portugal-from the period of Visigothic occupation (about AD 412-711). Their decoration varies. Finer examples, like this one, are distinguished by brilliantly inlaid semi-precious stones and colored glass. Garnets were especially prized in Visigothic society for use in cloisonnejewelry. The technique involved the fitting of carefully cut pieces of polished garnet into an intricate grid of compartments, or cloisons. This buckle is so densely inlaid with garnets that it presents a virtual " carpet" of red to the eye. These large Visigothic buckles are strikingly uniform in shape yet endlessly varied in surface design, perhaps a sign that they expressed the personal identities of their original owners. Grave excavations have shown that belt buckles of this type were made for women.
); Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund; out of copyright
Media ID 23180252
© Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund / Bridgeman Images
Belt Buckle C06th Gilded Gilt Mother Of Pearl Precious Stones
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a stunning Belt Buckle from the Visigothic period, dating back to around 525-560 AD. Crafted with meticulous detail, this bronze buckle is adorned with an array of exquisite materials including garnets, glass, mother of pearl, and gold foil. Measuring at 7.1x2.7x13.2 cm, it currently resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio. During the European Migration Period (3rd-7th centuries AD), personal adornment was highly valued as a form of portable art that accompanied individuals even in death. This belt buckle exemplifies the intricate craftsmanship prevalent during this era. Large rectangular attachment plates like these have been discovered in burial sites across the Iberian Peninsula. What sets this particular buckle apart are its brilliantly inlaid semi-precious stones and colored glass elements. The use of garnets was especially prized by Visigothic society for their incorporation into cloisonné jewelry - a technique involving carefully cut pieces fitted into compartments or "cloisons". The density of garnet inlay on this buckle creates a striking visual effect reminiscent of a vibrant red carpet. While these buckles exhibit uniformity in shape, each one boasts unique surface designs that likely reflected the individual identities of their original owners. Remarkably, archaeological excavations have revealed that belt buckles like this were predominantly made for women. Through this remarkable print captured by Bridgeman Images' Fine Art Finder collection, we can appreciate both the artistic mastery and cultural significance embodied within this ancient artifact from long ago civilizations.
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