Scythian Birdman
4th Century; Gold
Fibulae
5th century
gold lead over silver core with almandine, mother-of-pearl and
enamel polychrome/gem style
giant safety pin used to
fasten garments on the body/ hold up cloaks
Eagle-shaped Fibulae
6th century
multi-colored gems and stones set within strips of gold (polychrome style)
Receswinth Crown
653-672; gold, sapphires, pearls, and other gems
offering given by King Receswinth to a church
Cover of the Gospels of Theodelinda
6th-7th Century, gold, gems, and pearls on a wooden base
Oratory of Santa Maria-in-Valle (or Tempietto Longobardo
8th Century, stucco, relief sculpture, Cividale, Italy
Lombard
Technique
All women-- Some are nuns,
holy figures (have halos) may have been carved by
traveling Eastern artists, identities mostly unknown, slightly
larger than life-size, head of each figure framed by a
"nimbus" halo, common of period, believed to be female
saints four with crosses and crowns richly dressed in cloaks,
suggesting granddaughters of Empress Theodora (figures
could represent virgin martyrs ex: Catherine of Alexandria)
two center figures, right of left, left of right, dressed in
nuns habit (clothing); may represent pias widows static in
pose, elongated in proportion, parallel lines in garments regular
and patterned
Medallion with Bust of Christ
second half of 8th Century, cloisonne enamel on copper
example of
cloisione less costly technique than polychrome
style (animal?) heads on either side of medallion may
represent winds simplified forms reduced to simplified
elements halo, bible, alpha and omega, cross behind head,
indicates that the the figure is christ
Sacramentary of Gelasius
mid 8th Century, Manuscript Illumination
Sacramentary-- liturgical book containing the Priest's part of
the mass interest in decorative elements to be worn on the
body translated into an illuminated manuscript
Gummersmark Brooch
6th Century; silver gilt
Chip Carving--
carving/faceting technique derived from woodcarving, designed to
catch and reflect light
viking object
Anthropomorphic Forms (human-like characteristics)
rectangular head plate separated by an animal (seen from above)
the head lies in the center of the border pair of profiled
heads at either side of the footplate human figures: seen
between the beaded volutes of the footplate
Fibula in the shape of a bird of prey
c. 600; copper alloy
Oseberg Ship
c. 800
ornate wooden carvings
interlacing carvings
(Northern European Style)
funerary ship, not
intended for use
purpose was to carry them
into the afterlife burial took place c. 834
longboat in shape of
dragon; features represents creature's head and tail. This design
was intended to frighten off other animals/creatures
Vendel style of earlier
Swedish royal tombs broad bodies of serpents,
hatched surfaces, interlacing forms. known as "the gripping
beast", hallmark of viking decoration
Shoulder clasp from Sutton Hoo
c. 625; garnet cloisonne, checkerboard millefiori, and opaque blue glass
milefiori-- glasswork technique that incorporates
patterns
Buckle from Sutton Hoo
c. 625, gold
buckles were a way of expressing a man's wealth and
status man commemorated at this burial was of great
importance buckle is a box, opens on a hinge, involved a
complex locking system black compound of sulfur used to
fill in gold and silver designs to make them stand out more
2 animals gripping a dog-like creature in their jaws
many eyeballs on the buckle
The Cathach, (opening of Psalm 53)
late 6th/early 7th Century
Cathach means Champion
(Champion of St. Columba)
earliest surviving
anglo-saxon manuscript Each Psalm begins with an
initial letter larger than the rest Written by St.
Columba
Weyland the Smith and the Adoration of Magi from the
Franks Casket
c. 700; whalebone
carved in high relief (2 scenes) scenes and
accompanying text, rendered in runic, old english, and latin
Silver fittings were once attached to the casket (handle, locks,
hinges) Right Panel: Adoration of the Magi, 3 wise men, Mary,
and adult Christ head symbolizing the baby Left Panel:
Germanic Legend of Weyland the Smith: he was crippled and forced to
work against his will for a king, murders the king's sons and turns
their heads into drinking vessels and raped the king's daughter.
Weyland and his brother escaped from the king on magic wings made
from a goose feather We see Weyland making a skull cup,
princess and maid, and Weyland's brother at the right side of
panel inscription is a riddle, riddle answered with solution:
Whale's Bone
Papil Stone
c.
...
4.24 Lion of John from the Book of Durrow
c.
...
4.25 Man of Matthew from the Book of Durrow
c.
...
St. Matthew from the Lindisfarne Gospels
early 8th Century, manuscript illumination
gospel preceded by the evangelist portrait (seen here) and a
carpet page Byzantine style inspired by a bible
from Italy, The Codex Amiantinus
...
The Scribe Ezra from the Codex Amiatinus
early 8th Century, manuscript illumination
1 of 3 large biblical texts from around the year 700
...
4.29 Carpet page preceding Matthew�s gospel, Lindisfarne Gospels
c.
...
4.30 Monogram of Christ from the Book of Kells
c.
...
4.31 Virgin and Child from the Book of Kells
c. 8th or 9th century
Celtic Influences-- interlacing and animalistic forms on the
frame Byzantine Influence-- hierarchy of scale, big eyes,
lack of depth/space
...
*** Helmet from Sutton Hoo (not in text)
...