Early medieval Bronze Merovingian bird (Raven) brooch with circle-dot decoration
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 280 - € 350
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Description from the seller
Merovingian tin plated bronze bird (Raven) brooch with circle-dot decoration
Bird fibulae became popular at the end of the 5th century and remain so throughout the 6th century. They were usually worn as a pair, often in combination with a “Radiate-head” brooch. These fibulae belonged to upper class individuals.
The significance of the bird-motif probably lies in the aristocratic cult of the god wodan, who, lik his Scandinavian counterpart Odinn, was able to transform himself into a bird. Also the raven was know as “a beast of battle”. Eagles, ravens, wolfs where know as scavengers of dead warriors. They believed that the animals brought the spirits to the otherworld.
Source: Cf. Menghin: The Merovingian Period: Europe Without Borders & Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde Bd. 8, Berlin 1994, S. 541-582m (Fibel und Fibeltracht).
Material: Bronze with remains of plated tin
Date: Migration period, Merovingian, 6th century AD
Measurement: overall: 36 x 22 mm
Condition: Fine condition, slightly curved, the pin is no longer present as is often the case.
International registered Delivery.
Provenance: The Supplier warrants that it has obtained this lot in a legal manner.
Previously the property from a French art dealer; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s
Important information:
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Merovingian tin plated bronze bird (Raven) brooch with circle-dot decoration
Bird fibulae became popular at the end of the 5th century and remain so throughout the 6th century. They were usually worn as a pair, often in combination with a “Radiate-head” brooch. These fibulae belonged to upper class individuals.
The significance of the bird-motif probably lies in the aristocratic cult of the god wodan, who, lik his Scandinavian counterpart Odinn, was able to transform himself into a bird. Also the raven was know as “a beast of battle”. Eagles, ravens, wolfs where know as scavengers of dead warriors. They believed that the animals brought the spirits to the otherworld.
Source: Cf. Menghin: The Merovingian Period: Europe Without Borders & Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde Bd. 8, Berlin 1994, S. 541-582m (Fibel und Fibeltracht).
Material: Bronze with remains of plated tin
Date: Migration period, Merovingian, 6th century AD
Measurement: overall: 36 x 22 mm
Condition: Fine condition, slightly curved, the pin is no longer present as is often the case.
International registered Delivery.
Provenance: The Supplier warrants that it has obtained this lot in a legal manner.
Previously the property from a French art dealer; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s
Important information:
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Early medieval
Century/ Timeframe
6th century AD
Name of object
Merovingian bird (Raven) brooch with circle-dot decoration
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2021
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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.
