Mia Kilkeary

AP Art History
Mrs. Tiedeman
11/16/16

Merovingian Looped Fibulae

The Merovingian Looped Fibulae are a pair of Visigoth fibulae that have become one of
the greatest examples of barbarian metalwork and cloisonn, which is a decorative work in
which enamel, glass, or gemstones are separated by strips of flattened wire placed edgeways on a
metal backing. The Merovingian Looped Fibulae were rather extravagant due to the early
Medieval time period of their making. The pair was specifically decorated with a silver gilt,
garnets, amethyst, other stones, and colored glass. The small loops located at the bottom of each
of the fibulae could be used for the hanging of pendants.
The Merovingian Looped Fibulae were found at a wealthy Visigoth grave site in Spain.
They would have been made in the mid-6th century C.E., the time period of early medieval
Europe. Religion and social status were seen as highly important at this time period and were
what caused the style of fibulae to differ for each person. The higher the social status, the more
extravagant the fibula.
This time period of the Merovingian Looped Fibulas creation focused on Visigoth
religion of Arianism. They focused much on social class and felt higher status should gain higher
extravagance. The Merovingian Looped Fibulaes intricate patterning, attention to detail,
metalwork, and gem decoration can be viewed as convections of this Visigothic time. Overall,

this pair of fibulae is now known as an example of some of the first great detailed and
extravagant art of the early medieval time period.