| Creator | Langobardic |
| Culture | European; Northern European; Germanic; Langobardic |
| Title | Two Shield Bosses |
| Work Type | Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects |
| Date | 7th century |
| Material | Iron, gilt bronze |
| Measurements | 1984.184.1: 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (19 x 9 cm); 1984.184.2: 7 x 3 1/2 in. (17.8 x 9 cm) |
| Description | Shield bosses were designed to be attached to the center of a circular wooden shield. These two are thought to be have been made in northern Italy, the heart of the Langobardic kingdom from the late sixth to the mid-eighth century. The majority of surviving Langobardic shield bosses are made of plain iron. Some, like these examples, are more richly decorated with engraved appliqués of gilt bronze. The crosses and fish that decorate one of the bosses suggest that its owner was a Christian. The bird-headed spiral on the other boss is an older symbol derived from the Langobards' pre-Christian past. Principal view |
| Repository | The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, New York Purchase, Bequest of Stephen V. Grancsay, by exchange, and Rogers Fund, 1984 1984.184.1,2 http://www.metmuseum |
| ARTstor Collection | The Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection Formerly in The AMICO Library |
| ID Number | MMA_.1984.184.1,2 |
| Source | Data From: The Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| Rights | This image was provided by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Contact information: Photograph and Slide Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, (212) 396-5050 (fax). Please note that if this image is under copyright, you may need to contact one or more copyright owners for any use that is not permitted under the ARTstor Terms and Conditions of Use or not otherwise permitted by law. While ARTstor tries to update contact information, it cannot guarantee that such information is always accurate. Determining whether those permissions are necessary, and obtaining such permissions, is your sole responsibility. |
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