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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

More Artwork

More Artwork
Bow Brooch, Silver with gold-sheet overlay and garnets, East Germanic
Bow Brooch
East Germanic
400–450
Bow Brooch, Copper alloy, cast, "tinned" surface; iron spring and pin, Visigothic
Bow Brooch
Visigothic
first half 6th century
Crossbow Brooch, Gold, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch
Late Roman or Byzantine
ca. 430
Gold Neck Ring, Gold, East Germanic
Gold Neck Ring
East Germanic
5th century
Brooch with Boar’s-Head, Copper alloy, Vendel
Brooch with Boar’s-Head
Vendel
late 8th century

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