A gilded Domburg Fibula: a piece of jewellery from the seventh century has been added to the Fries Museum’s collection
By Adriana Dancu
Earlier this year Robbert Velt, an amateur archaeologist, found a fibula from the seventh century, which was used as a jewelry. The piece of jewelry was found using a metal detector in Swuchum, a village in the municipality of Leewarden, reports the Leeuwarder Courant.
A unique discovery
Research done on the fibula found in Swuchum showed that it was a Domburg fibula- used for fastening clothes, which was commonly used in Dutch coastal areas, in the sixth and seventh centuries.
What makes the fibula found by Robbert Velt interesting is that it is almost twice the size of an average Domburg fibula, measuring 11.3 centimeters. Additionaly, the fibula is also made of gilded silver, whereas the common ones were made of bronze. The fibula’s pin is decorated with two animal heads and features braided ribbon motifs never seen on this type of pin before.
Diana Spiekhout, curator of the Fries Museum, expressed her enthusiasm for the acquisition of the Domburg fibula: “Objects like this are of invaluable scientific value. They are rarely found. This pin is also completely unique in its kind. This makes it one of the archaeological masterpieces from Frisian soil. Not only is it a masterpiece of Friesland, but also of the Netherlands.”
It is still unknown, however, when the fibula will be visible to the public.
Image credit: Vergulde domburgfibula met dierkop- en vlechtbandversiering, Swichum, 600 – 700 na Chr., verguld zilver, Collectie Fries Museum | verworven met steun van de Vrienden van het Fries Museum en de Hofsteestichting By Paulien Kaan
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