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Gold Buckle with Garnets

400–500
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 301
This buckle, dating from the first half of the fifth century, was discovered in Raab, Hungary. As it was found with silver-gilt and garnet sheath fittings from a battle dagger and sword (now in the British Museum), it may have come from the grave of a prominent leader. The fine workmanship and a rich combination of heavy gold and dark garnets argue that it may have been made in a central jeweler's workshop in Constantinople. Often tribal chieftains from outlying regions of Byzantium were given opulent pieces of jewelry or sword fittings by the emperor, as a sign of friendship and alliance (or as a small bribe). Kings and powerful men would also commission pieces privately from these workshops, as a tangible symbol of their wealth and connections to the powerful civilization in Constantinople, so it is entirely probable that this buckle traveled very far from its maker before being buried with its owner.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Gold Buckle with Garnets
  • Date: 400–500
  • Geography: Made in Constantinople (probably)
  • Culture: Germanic
  • Medium: Gold, garnets with patterned foil backing, cloisonné garnets
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1 5/16 x 1 1/8 x 1/2 in. (3.4 x 2.9 x 1.2 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Gold
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund, Alastair B. Martin, Norbert Schimmel Foundation Inc., and Levy Hermanos Foundation Inc. Gifts, and funds from various donors, 1986
  • Object Number: 1986.341
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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