Merovingian-Frankish - Silver Gilt Square-Headed Brooch with Garnets
Lot No. 590

Circa 5th-6th century AD. A fine example of a Merovingian-Frankish cast silver square-headed brooch, its quadrangular headplate featuring a thick pelleted border on the three outer edges, with a panel of incised zoomorphic decoration in an evolved version of Salin’s Style I; two scaphoid and two circular cloisonné garnets placed symmetrically above the bow, featuring one medial and two lateral heavy cast ribs with billeted panels between; the setting for a large circular cabochon garnet placed at the apex of the bow, the stone lost in antiquity; the brooch fractured at the junction of the bow with the footplate; with pierced hinge lugs in situ on the reverse.

Low estimate: £300
High estimate: £400