The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Two Shield Bosses

Two Shield Bosses

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Two Shield Bosses

Date:: 7th century
Culture:: Langobardic
Medium:: Iron, copper alloy, gold
Dimensions:: 1984.184.1: Diameter, 7 1/2 in. (19.05 cm) Depth, 3 1/2 in. (8.89 cm) 1984.184.2: Diameter, 7 in. (17.78 cm) Depth, 3 1/2 in. (8.89 cm)
Classification:: Shields
Credit Line:: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Bequest of Stephen V. Grancsay, by exchange, 1984
Accession Number:: 1984.184.1, .2

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 370

Description

Shield bosses were attached to the center of a circular wooden shield. These two are thought to have been made in northern Italy, the heart of the Langobardic Kingdom from the late sixth to the mid-eigth century. The majority of surviving Langobardic shield bosses are made of plain iron. Some, like these examples, are more richly decorated with engraved appliqués of gilt bronze.
The crosses and fish that decorate one of the bosses suggest that its owner was a Christian. The bird-headed spiral on the other boss is an older symbol derived from the Langobards' pre-Christian past.
Provenance

Ex coll.: Count Wilczek (Castle Kreuzenstein, Austria), Ruth Blumka, Eric Vaule
See also
What
Metal (59,548)

Costume (42,521)

Copper alloy (16,533)

Gold (12,589)

Iron and iron alloy (6,911)

Copper (6,250)

Iron (3,728)

Armor (2,073)

Shields (378)

Bosses (150)
When
A.D. 500-1000 (6,677)
In the Museum
Arms and Armor (13,064)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
The Decoration of Arms and Armor

Italian Peninsula, 500–1000 A.D.

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