Bird fibulae became popular at the end of the 5th century and remain so throughout the 6th century. They were usually worn as a pair, often in combination with a “Radiate-head” brooch. These fibulae belonged to upper class individuals.
The significance of the bird-motif probably lies in the aristocratic cult of the god wodan, who, lik his Scandinavian counterpart Odinn, was able to transform himself into a bird. Also the raven was know as “a beast of battle”. Eagles, ravens, wolfs where know as scavengers of dead warriors. They believed that the animals brought the spirits to the otherworld.
Source: Cf. Menghin: The Merovingian Period: Europe Without Borders & Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde Bd. 8, Berlin 1994, S. 541-582m (Fibel und Fibeltracht).
Material: Bronze with remains of cloisonné
Date: Migration period, Merovingian, 6th century AD
Measurement: overall: 30 x 19 mm
Condition: Fine condition, slightly curved, the pin is no longer present as is often the case.
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