History of the jewelry

Carolingian Brooch, 9th century.

This piece of jewelry is inspired by the ornate knob from the binding of the Lindau Bible. The late 8th century cover was created in one of the imperial workshops under Emperor Charles the Bald, grandson of Charlemagne. The location of the workshop is uncertain. Some scholars suggest it was at the abbey of St. Denis, near Paris, where Charles was secular abbot from 867 until his death in 877. The Lindau Bible was the first major medieval manuscript acquired by Pierpont Morgan and bears the signature M.1.

Material: Sterling silver and amethyst

From the collection of The Pierpont Morgan Library.