Gold and ailver decorative element with human representation
The ornamental element, designed identically on both sides, was manufactured with great elaboration from gold sheet over a silver core. The lateral parts are made as tubular sleeves with bead-like constrictions in the middle and at the ends (original internal diameter: 1.0 cm). A row of five beads in pearl-stick arrangement serves as a connection between the sleeves along the upper and lower edges.
Between them, within a frame formed by four narrow moulded strips, is a relief depicting a full-length human figure in frontal view. The moulded strips are secured by six continuous rivets, which simultaneously hold together the various layers of the object and provide a three-dimensional decoration of the frame.
The stocky figure stands as if in a doorway, with rounded arms resting on the hips and legs spread apart, standing on the lower moulded strip. The large head sits directly on the body without a neck. The face shows small, slanting eyes beneath two diagonal bands, which belong either to the hairstyle or perhaps to a helmet (?) and are slightly separated from the lightly wavy locks of hair above. From the crown of the head to the mouth (a short engraved line) runs another band representing the nose or a nose guard.
The probably male figure wears a garment with a collar (?), two circular ornaments, and a broad central strip extending down to the waist. Short vertical strokes indicate a kind of apron or broad belt. The broad legs, with outward-turned feet, may be enclosed in trousers or high boots.
The figure, depicted in a challenging or assertive pose, is highly stylised and designed as an almost ornamental motif that could be repeated at will despite its details. It could be interpreted as the representation of a warrior or a deity; however, no direct comparison has so far been found among the rare figural representations of the Early Migration Period.
The tubular sleeves originally served as connecting elements through which a rod or cord (made of leather?) could be passed. A function as a hinge or something similar is less likely, although the use of the piece as part of a ceremonial belt cannot be excluded. Since a stamp was produced for the main motif, it can be assumed that further ornamental elements were manufactured or that the stamp was reused for other ornaments.
The exact function of the object and the interpretation of the human representation must remain open for the time being, as no adequate parallels have yet been identified. The elaborate manufacture and the repair indicate that the object must have been a significant component of the rich costume equipment of an aristocratic Germanic individual.
Technique and Preservation
The object consists of an inner element of silver sheet and an outer covering of gold sheet. The principal motif was pressed into both sheets using a metal die.
The sleeves and bead rods of the inner components were formed over a metal core. The 0.03 mm thick gold sheet was then pressed over the shaped silver core. The folds on the reverse, beneath the moulded strips, were concealed; at the transition between the sleeves and the bead rods, the gold sheet was carefully pressed down and folded into the openings of the sleeves.
Some details of the figure were impressed using form punches.
The decorative strips consist of gold sheet bands whose profiles were created by pressing them into a negative mould. The sheet-metal parts were pre-perforated with a metal punch for the insertion of the forged rivets.
The layering of the various gold and silver sheet components is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
An analysis of the gold content and trace elements (silver, copper, and traces of iron) of the outer gold sheet using X-ray fluorescence analysis produced values very similar to those of the honour chain (cat. no. 16) and the disc pendant:
Gold content (Au): 92.4%
Silver content (Ag): 4.6%
Copper content (Cu): 3.0%
The originally square ornamental element is heavily compressed and deformed, especially on the reverse. At the corners, the sheet metal has been pushed inward and is torn in places. On the reverse, the left and lower moulded strips are missing; the rivets are bent and partly loose in the torn openings.
The folded edges of the gold sheet components have opened considerably in places or have bent upwards. Parts of the inner silver core are missing. The inner silver sheet of the reverse side is reinforced in the area of the image field with three pieces of gold sheet (ancient repair), as demonstrated by radiography.
The different shades of grey reveal the various layers (the lighter the image, the more layers are superimposed). Additional gold sheet reinforcements can be seen to the right of the figure’s head, at the left foot, and along the left moulded strip. The darker grey tone of the figure’s body indicates the missing pieces of the inner silver sheet.
There are particularly dark deposits on the reverse side.
Quantity
1
Weight
19.5 g
Length
4.1 cm
Width
4.6 cm
Material
Gold
Hoard
