Lombardic Jewelry

Photo and descriptio n of a silver brooch with partial gilding, inlaid with niello, at the Metropolit an Museum of Art.

Photo and descriptio n of a 7th century Langobardi c gold brooch with settings of onyx, red and green glass, and a Roman (ca. 100-300) cameo.

Rings made in the 6th-10th centuries.

This gold earring, with inlays of garnet and glass, belongs to one of the commonest Lombardic types. 'Baske t' earrings are named after the basket-sha ped pendant of openwork filigree at the back of a decorative disc.

Photos of early medieval earrings, and portraits with earrings from the 16th century; includes discussion of earrings in the 11th-15th centuries.

This ring is engraved with a female bust and inscribed in reverse: + GUMED/RUTA VEC, which is the Germanic name Gumedruta followed by an abbreviate d, honorific title, possibly including the Latin 'V(irg o) E(gregia)& #39; ('Illu strious maiden&#39 . This is the only early Italian ring to portray a woman. She is shown wearing Byzantine- influenced costume with a diadem with triple pendants, a mantle and a single disc brooch.