Silver, 6.71 grams, 37.96 mm. Circa 6th century AD. A beautifully well preserved Langobardic or Bajuwarian silver-gilt bird brooch with garnet settings. The head of the bird has a narrow, curved beak protruding from the socket of the eye, indicated by a garnet cloison. Below the eye there is another garnet setting in an almost crescent shape which indicates the position of the wing. The body is detailed with a triangular panel set with a round garnet which is bordered on two sides by billeted panels; the foot of the brooch forming the tail is again detailed with three garnet settings. There is a pin hinge lug and catchplate on the reverse. Reference: Die Bajuwaren? Extremely fine condition. Ex old European collection. This item is accompanied by an XRF ancient metal test certificate from Oxford X-ray Fluorescence Ltd.

The Lombards (Langobardi), were a Germanic people originally from Northern Europe who settled in the valley of the Danube and from there invaded Italy in 568 under the leadership of Alboin, remembered in Old English verse as Ælfwine (in the Deor poem in the Exeter Book. They established a Kingdom of Italy which lasted until 774, when it was conquered by the Carolingian Franks.