Une Exceptionnelle « Applique » Merovingienne a Têtes de Sangliers de Francheville (France, Marne)

Périn, P. (2009) Une Exceptionnelle « Applique » Merovingienne a Têtes de Sangliers de Francheville (France, Marne). Acta Archaeologica, 60 (2). pp. 407-421. ISSN 0001-5210

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Abstract

The Merovingian ornament of Francheville (Marne) was found by chance by a farmer, who immediately notified the regional Archaeological Service of Champagne-Ardenne. With the much-appreciated help of M. Michel Chossenot it was brought to the Museum of National Archaeology for study(a task carried out in cordial collaboration with the Research and Restoration Center -or Laboratory— of the Musees de France*), and the Museum was able to acquire it in 2007. This object, made in an alloy of gold and copper, offers at each of its extremities a striking depiction of boar’s heads, remarkably stylized, with silvered tusks and eyes and ears aglow with garnet inserts. Although there are stylistic parallels which allow us to date this ornamental element to the years around 500, its function has not yet been determined. The absence of an appropriate system of fixation would appear to rule out a brooch or a scabbard-catch; other possibilities include decoration for a sword pommel or a helmet, though no conclusion can be reached for the moment. The depiction of boar heads treated in three dimensions is very rare in the Merovingian world, and the problem of their possible symbolic significance can also be raised.

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