Early medieval Fibula, Merovingian Fleur-de-Lis
10
days
21
hours
18
minutes
00
seconds
Current bid
€ 33
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
3 other people are watching this object
 | €33 |
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An early medieval Merovingian bronze fibula with a fleur-de-lis design, circa 5th–6th century AD, about 37.7 mm, in good solid condition with an olive‑green patina, iron pin missing, original/authentic, provenance Belgium via a dealer at a fair.
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.
Merovingian Migration period, bronze fibula with an early type of Fleur-de-Lis, connected with a central ribbed band inlaid with black glass paste.
The brooch has opposed stylised lily-shaped terminals, with curved side elements and triangular end panels retaining orange-red glass paste.
-> The fleur-de-lis is a symbol used in various ancient cultures with different meanings.
In Christianity, the fleur-de-lis was used both as representation of the Virgin Mary, as well as the Holy Trinity. The fleur-de-lis is perhaps most closely associated with the French monarchy, who incorporated the emblem in their heraldry from the 13th century onward.
Size: ± 37,7 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, fantastic smooth olive-green patina, (iron) pin missing. Very rare type. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
-> Merovingian fibulae were important elements of early medieval dress, serving both as practical garment fasteners and as visible ornaments. Their form, material, and decoration could reflect status, regional taste, and cultural identity.
-> Enamel decoration was widely used in early medieval metalwork to create bright colour contrasts against bronze or copper-alloy surfaces. Even when only partly preserved, these inlays show how vivid such objects would originally have appeared.
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.
Merovingian Migration period, bronze fibula with an early type of Fleur-de-Lis, connected with a central ribbed band inlaid with black glass paste.
The brooch has opposed stylised lily-shaped terminals, with curved side elements and triangular end panels retaining orange-red glass paste.
-> The fleur-de-lis is a symbol used in various ancient cultures with different meanings.
In Christianity, the fleur-de-lis was used both as representation of the Virgin Mary, as well as the Holy Trinity. The fleur-de-lis is perhaps most closely associated with the French monarchy, who incorporated the emblem in their heraldry from the 13th century onward.
Size: ± 37,7 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, fantastic smooth olive-green patina, (iron) pin missing. Very rare type. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
-> Merovingian fibulae were important elements of early medieval dress, serving both as practical garment fasteners and as visible ornaments. Their form, material, and decoration could reflect status, regional taste, and cultural identity.
-> Enamel decoration was widely used in early medieval metalwork to create bright colour contrasts against bronze or copper-alloy surfaces. Even when only partly preserved, these inlays show how vivid such objects would originally have appeared.
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
5th - 6th century AD
Name of object
Merovingian Fleur-de-Lis, Fibula
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
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.
