Merovingian fibula with a finger-shaped handle, made of cast and gilded silver.
 The semi-circular head is decorated with ocelli and extended by three finger-like projections. The bridge-shaped handle is adorned with chevrons, and the foot is decorated with longitudinal grooves.
 The foot and each digit are adorned with a garnet cabochon.
 This silver fibula was made from a mold and then gilded. The decoration was added after casting.
 This type of fibula was quite widespread in the Merovingian world, mostly made of bronze.
 They are rarely made of gilded silver and even more rarely adorned with precious stones like this one, which probably belonged to a person of high social rank in the Merovingian world in the 6th or 7th century.
 This fibula combines a fine decoration, made of scrolls and punctuated with moldings, with small garnets which gives it an even more precious appearance.
 This particular aspect is found first in workshops originating from Germany and more specifically from the Thuringia region.
 Through population movements, these German workshops influenced others, active within the Kingdom of the Burgundians, which at its height covered a vast territory between eastern France and western Germany.
 Burgundian art, 5th/6th century AD.
 Excellent condition - Missing prong
 Dimensions 74 mm x 48 mm, weight 17 grams
 Provenance information: Formerly in a Dutch collection, collected by Dr. Van Dijk between 1970 and 1990

 Internal reference: H307