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Brooch in the Form of a Cicada

350–450
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 301
The winged insect was a popular motif in both Germanic and nomadic metalwork during the late fourth and fifth centuries. Gold bees appeared in the grave of the Frankish king Childeric (d. 482), while other richly appointed graves, such as that at Domagnano (17.190.698), included cicada brooches.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Brooch in the Form of a Cicada
  • Date: 350–450
  • Culture: East Germanic
  • Medium: Copper alloy, cast; copper alloy pin/spring
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1/8 x 1 3/16 x 11/16 x 5/8 in. (0.3 x 3 x 1.8 x 1.6 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Copper
  • Credit Line: Purchase, William Kelly Simpson Gift, 1993
  • Object Number: 1993.263
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Wing Brooch
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Bowl Fragments with Menorah, Shofar, and Torah Ark, Glass, gold leaf, Roman
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Brooch in the form of a Stag
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