Plate-buckle with prophets
Type:
Belt buckles,
Grave goods,
Reliquaries
Date:
Second half of sixth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
France
Medium:
Bronze
Dimensions:
H 7.9 cm, L 14.3 cm
Description:
A bronze plate-buckle (also called a plaque-buckle) that once secured a leather belt depicts two figures that the Bible associates with Babylon in the sixth century BCE. On the left is the Hebrew prophet Daniel, who was thrown into a den of lions (represented by two creatures who look like dragons with antlers), and on the right is the prophet Habakkuk, who was miraculously transported from Judaea to deliver food to Daniel in the den (he is flanked by baskets). There were lions in the area of France in antiquity, but clearly the artist had never seen one. Both prophets are identified by Latin inscriptions, and both stand with their arms upraised in the orant pose of prayer.
Dozens of early medieval buckles from Merovingian-era Gaul depict Daniel. This iconography must have been considered protective and effective: God would protect those who believe in him, just as he protected Daniel (Dan. 6:16). Shallow compartments on the reverse may have held relics, which supports the overall theme of salvation.
The plaque is probably from the region of Jura in east-central France. Based on comparison with similar works, it can be dated to the later sixth century. Such decorated plate-buckles were first worn by elite men, and buried with them, but by the sixth century they were worn by women as well. In the absence of any archaeological context, the gender of the wearer of this plate-buckle is unknown.
Dozens of early medieval buckles from Merovingian-era Gaul depict Daniel. This iconography must have been considered protective and effective: God would protect those who believe in him, just as he protected Daniel (Dan. 6:16). Shallow compartments on the reverse may have held relics, which supports the overall theme of salvation.
The plaque is probably from the region of Jura in east-central France. Based on comparison with similar works, it can be dated to the later sixth century. Such decorated plate-buckles were first worn by elite men, and buried with them, but by the sixth century they were worn by women as well. In the absence of any archaeological context, the gender of the wearer of this plate-buckle is unknown.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
3
Repository and Online Resources:
• See this buckle in 360 degrees.
• Read more about the plate-buckle here.
Image Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
