Early medieval Bronze Merovingian / Frankish Eagle finial
17
days
06
hours
03
minutes
57
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 600 - € 750
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Early Medieval Merovingian bronze staff finial in the form of an eagle’s head, circa 6th–7th century AD, about 52 mm high, in good condition with a dark patina; authentic original, certificate available on request.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Early Medieval Frankish/Merovingian bronze staff finial A ceremonial bronze finial from the early Medieval Frankish or Merovingian period, intricately cast in the form of an eagle’s head. The eagle features a sharply curved beak and expressive eyes, with incised feather detailing that highlights its craftsmanship. Its cylindrical base suggests it once crowned a ceremonial staff or pole.
-> Bird-headed staff finials are associated with authority, display, and symbolism. In the medieval world, such fittings could adorn ceremonial staffs, sceptres, or other mounted implements, transforming a functional object into a visible emblem of rank or office.
Height: ± 52,2 mm
Condition: good and solid condition with a rich, dark patina. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Decorated staff terminals and finials occupied an important place in medieval material culture, where staffs could serve practical, ceremonial, or symbolic purposes. Beyond their everyday use, they could function as markers of office, authority, religious status, or formal procession. The addition of an animal or bird head gave such objects a distinctive visual identity and often a protective or prestigious meaning.
Bird imagery remained highly significant throughout the medieval period and could evoke vigilance, power, nobility, or spiritual association, depending on context. Objects such as this reflect the medieval taste for combining utility with emblematic ornament, creating fittings that were both functional and expressive. This example belongs to that wider tradition of sculptural staff mounts, where symbolic animal forms enhanced the presence and importance of the object they crowned.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Early Medieval Frankish/Merovingian bronze staff finial A ceremonial bronze finial from the early Medieval Frankish or Merovingian period, intricately cast in the form of an eagle’s head. The eagle features a sharply curved beak and expressive eyes, with incised feather detailing that highlights its craftsmanship. Its cylindrical base suggests it once crowned a ceremonial staff or pole.
-> Bird-headed staff finials are associated with authority, display, and symbolism. In the medieval world, such fittings could adorn ceremonial staffs, sceptres, or other mounted implements, transforming a functional object into a visible emblem of rank or office.
Height: ± 52,2 mm
Condition: good and solid condition with a rich, dark patina. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Decorated staff terminals and finials occupied an important place in medieval material culture, where staffs could serve practical, ceremonial, or symbolic purposes. Beyond their everyday use, they could function as markers of office, authority, religious status, or formal procession. The addition of an animal or bird head gave such objects a distinctive visual identity and often a protective or prestigious meaning.
Bird imagery remained highly significant throughout the medieval period and could evoke vigilance, power, nobility, or spiritual association, depending on context. Objects such as this reflect the medieval taste for combining utility with emblematic ornament, creating fittings that were both functional and expressive. This example belongs to that wider tradition of sculptural staff mounts, where symbolic animal forms enhanced the presence and importance of the object they crowned.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Early medieval
Century/timeframe
6th - 7th century AD
Name of object
Merovingian / Frankish Eagle finial
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
