Brooches were used in the medieval period to fasten garments together, generally around the neck. The most common form was the circular ring brooch, but brooches were also found in a number of more unusual forms, such as this sexfoil. The subtle and contrasting use of enamel provides an added richness
Physical description
Brooch, gold, engraved and enamelled. Of sexfoil shape, the front is engraved with four-petalled flowers, outlined in black enamel, back with an inscription in Latin in Lombardic letters and enamelled in black '+ AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DON [NOBIS PACEM]' (Holy Mary, full of grace, give [us peace]).
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (possibly, made)
France (possibly, made)
Date
1250-1350 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Gold, engraved; Enamel
Marks and inscriptions
'+ AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DON' [NOBIS PACEM] 'Hail Mary, full of grace, give' [us peace]
Dimensions
Diameter: 2.5 cm, Depth: 0.2 cm
Descriptive line
Brooch, gold and enamel, of sexfoil form, engraved on the front with four-petalled flowers, and on the reverse in Lombardic lettering with an inscription to the Virgin. England or France, 1300-50.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Lightbown, Ronald. Medieval European Jewellery: with a catalogue of the collection in the Victoria & Albert Museum. London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1992. cat.11. p. 494.
Campbell, Marian, Medieval Jewellery in Europe 1100-1500, London, V&A Publishing, 2009, p. 62, fig. 61
Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400, Alexander, J. and Binski, P. (eds), London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1987, no.643, p.484
Exhibition History
Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400 (Royal Academy of Arts 06/11/1987-06/03/1988)
Production Note
Possibly made in England or France
Materials
Gold; Enamel
Techniques
Engraving (incising); Enamelling
Subjects depicted
Mary (Virgin Mary); Quatrefoils; Faith
Categories
Metalwork; Christianity; Jewellery
Collection code
MET
