#theodorik

This pair of so called “eagle” brooches, were found in Rhenen, the Netherlands. Their origin however comes from many kilometers away, either being Visigothic (Iberian Peninsula, broadly Spain) or Ostrogothic (Northern Italy to Ukraine).

The grave’s early date might suggest that this person was a first generation “immigrant”, having moved from the Gothic to Merovingian empire and lived a full life there.

Gothic brooches depict the bird with a round belly, open wings and a triangular tale, being symmetric from the neck down. The head in profile, faces to the side. A pair of brooches in this fashion face each other when being worn. They were worn on the shoulders and were most often heavily decorated in gold and garnet, but less intricate examples exist, such as this one.

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden, Zuid Holland - The Netherlands

Museum nrs Rh 373 Aa & Rh 373 Ab