Merovingian gold and garnet finial, 7th century AD

A Merovingian gold and garnet finial.
Central and Western Europe, 7th century AD.

Measures 4.5 x 2.3cm.

Weighs 22.2 grams.

The exceptionally fine finial is engraved and decorated with gold granules, rope work and set with nine cabochon garnets. A fragment of silver tubing protrudes from the base, which would have formed a long, hollow pin.The finial would have been used as a cloak or hair pin or possibly a pointer (aestal).

Provenance: Private English Collection, purchased in the London trade during the early 1990’s.

A fragment of a similar finial was found during excavations in 2015 on the supposed site of the battle of Morgarten which took place on 15 November 1315 on the shores of Lake Ägeri, in the territory of Schwyz. Although the battle took place in the early 14th century, the finial was lost centuries before as it is typical of the goldsmiths work in the Frankish empire during the 7th century AD which is the date given by the archeologists.

The battle of Morgarten; After a brief close-quarters battle, the Austrian army was ambushed by the Swiss confederacy, with numerous soldiers slain or drowned. The Swiss victory consolidated the League of the Three Forest Cantons, which formed the core of the Old Swiss Confederacy, creating the nascent nation of Switzerland that exists today.