Images

This necklace, found in a woman's grave, is the finest of its kind to survive from Anglo-Saxon England. Its gold wire beads and pendents set with garnets reflect a mixture of Mediterranean and Continental fashions. The inclusion of a cross...

Larger than life, this head came from a colossal cult statue of the god Asclepius. It was carved from 3 pieces of marble, 2 of which have survived. From Melos. Circa 325-300 BCE. The British Museum, London.

The 3 figures are sea nymphs, daughters of the sea god Nereus, riding over the waves on sea creatures. They are thought to have escorted the soul of the deceased on its journey to the afterlife. A sea bird is visible under the feet of the...

This glass vessel, known as a claw beaker after its claw-like decoration, is an early example of a type that grew popular throughout Anglo-Saxon England. Its form is similar to Late Roman vessels, reflecting the cultural transitions that...

This purse-lid would have been attached to a pouch, which originally hung from a waist belt. Only, the gold frame and catch of the purse survive; the leather pouch decayed in the ground. Seven plaques of gold, cloisonne garnets and millefiori...

The Romanized peoples of Pannonia remained Christian under Avar rule. This brooch from the region shows the adoration of the Magi, a well-known Christian scene. On the right, 3 bearded men bring gifts to the infant Christ in the stable at...

This gilded silver buckle with an eagle's head is typical of the northern Black Sea area which was settled by the Crimean Goths. From Kerch, Crimea, Ukraine. Circa 400-650 CE. (The British Museum, London)

This gilded Visigothic buckle has chip-carved decoration which characterizes much of the art at this time of extensive migration. Possibly from Spain or southern France. Circa 400s-650s CE. (The British Museum, London)

Ostrogothic buckle with inlaid green glass and garnet, possibly from Italy, c. 400s-650s. The British Museum, London.

Drinking horns were popular with many Germanic cultures during this period, but this Lombard example from a high status grave in Sutri, Italy, is made from blue glass rather than the typical horn. It shows how the Lombards in Italy adapted...