Migration Period, large Visigothic cloisonné belt buckle

The art of the European Migration Period (3rd - 7th century AD) is primarily focused on personal adornment. Belt buckles, often featuring large rectangular attachment plates, were frequently inlaid with semi-precious stones and coloured glass. Garnets, in particular, were highly valued in Visigothic society for use in cloisonné jewellery. The cloisonné technique involved placing carefully cut pieces of polished stones or glass into a detailed grid of compartments (cloisons).

These large Visigothic buckles are strikingly uniform in shape yet vary widely in surface design. They stand as a testament to the skill of Visigothic metalworkers and offer a glimpse into the personal identities and preferences of their original owners.