Artwork Page for Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

Details / Information for Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

late 700s-early 800s

Frankish, early Carolingian, late 8th century - early 9th century

Medium
gold with repoussé and filigree decoration; copper backplate
Measurements
Diameter: 7.7 cm (3 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2009.344
Public Domain
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Location
106A Migration Period & Coptic
Print
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Did You Know?

Look carefully at this brooch and notice a small animal, perhaps a dragon, camouflaged amid the swirling whirls of gold.

Description

Women used brooches like this to fasten their veils beneath the chin. Its rare form--a hexagram--suggests that it also functioned as a talisman or amulet to attract good luck and to ward off evil.
A gold star-shaped ornament features a central relief of a deer-like animal with curved antlers, facing left. Braided wire defines the outer edges and forms a hexagonal border around the creature. The animal's body and the six triangular points are textured with dense, repetitive circular marks. Small silver-colored rivets secure each tip. Copper tones accent the recessed textured areas, creating contrast within the star's geometric compartments.

Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

late 700s-early 800s

Frankish, early Carolingian, late 8th century - early 9th century

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