Merovingian Cicada Brooch

A carved bone panel, roughly triangular in plan with a curved profile, carved in relief with a stylised figural scene: left, above: two figures standing right, four large heads below; partial figures with a hound facing left above right, text below: 'JVLIANVS'; panel of five orderly rows of heads facing left, with geometric border below; notching to the edges to reverse; repaired. 31.4 grams, 91 mm



Previously in the Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. From a Cambridge collection. Property of a North London gentleman.

The piece is probably a panel from a carved casket. The imagery relates to the Emperor Julian, later known as 'the Apostate', who was the cousin of Emperor Constantius II and ruled from 3 November 361-26 June 363. Julian was well-educated in the Greek tradition and rejected the Christian faith imposed on the eastern Empire under his uncle, Constantine. On his succession, Julian embarked on a military campaign against the Sassanian Empire in 363 which initially went well, but at the battle of Samarra in the same year he was badly wounded.

A silver bow brooch comprising a D-shaped headplate with concentric granulated bands, three-row spring with granulated knops, shallow bow with D-shaped ledges and granule detailing, tongue-shaped footplate with applied filigree scroll and ropework borders; catchplate to the reverse. 69.2 grams, 84 mm

Fine condition.

Acquired in the 1980s. Old European collection. Ex property of a European collector.

A stylised cicada brooch with minimalistic detailing to the upper face; pin lug, pin and catchplate to reverse. 10 grams, 42 mm



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.