Frankish Art
Jan 01, 2016
Frankish Art
Who were the Franks?• One of many Germanic
nomads pushing into Roman Empire
• Most influential barbarian tribe because they convert to Roman Catholic Christianity during Merovingian Dynasty (5th to 8th century CE)
• Height during Carolingian Dynasty (8th to 10th century CE)
• Charlemagne revives title of Holy Roman Emperor
= Roman Empire = Frankish federation
= Salian Franks 358 = Conquests to 460 = Conquests to 482
= Frankish Kingdom 482 = Conquests to 496 = Conquests to 507
= Frankish Kingdom 511 = Conquests to 537 = Vassal states
= Frankish Kingdom 768 = Conquests to 814 = Losses 798 = Loosely held territories
Ring with a Cross, 6th century CE, Gold filigree, cloisonné cells inset with garnet;
• Worn by high ranking men and women
• Sometimes used as seals but mostly decorative
• Sophistication of Frankish metalwork
Pair of Bird-Shaped Brooches, 550–600 CEGold sheet, cloisonné cells
Brooch with a runic inscription on back Merovingian, 6th century CE Length: 7.4 cm
Glass drinking-horn Frankish/Merovingian, 5th century CE
Animal head from Oseberg ship burial,
ca. 825 CE, wood, about five feet tall
Germanic animal style
Belt Buckle, 675–725 CE; Found in Germany; Iron with silver inlays.
Iron and silver buckle Merovingian, 7th century CE
Iron axe-head inlaid with silver Merovingian, 7th century CEFrom Germany Length: 17.5 cm
•A ceremonial or battle axe•The throwing axe was the favorite weapon of the Franks•Silver in-lay shows the status/military rank of original owner
Frankish "Claw" Beaker, 400–600 CE
Fragment of a Sarcophagus, 700s CE•Monogram of Christ (Chi and Ro) along with alpha and omega – common motifs
•Non-Greek speaking sculptor
Equestrian statuette of Charlemagne 9th CenturyBronze, Maximum height of horse: 21 cm
•Artists took up the Gallo-Roman tradition of casting and based their works on examples from antiquity