Question

What is the form of the Merovingian looped fibulae?

1) T-shaped jewelry
2) Complex interlacing design
3) Decorated with stylized zoomorphic motifs
4) Gilded: made with silver covered with gold
5) Cloisonne and enameling techniques used to embed gemstones and colored glass within metal wire
6) Chasing technique used to hammer designs and textures into metal

Answer 1

Merovingian looped fibulae are characterized by their cloisonné technique, often featuring intricate designs, stylized animal motifs, and a mixture of gemstones and colored glass gilded with gold.

Step-by-step explanation:

The form of the Merovingian looped fibulae is typically characterized by its intricate cloisonné work, which involves creating partitions or cells (cloisons) with wire on a metal surface and then filling them with semi-precious stones. This technique was popular in what's commonly referred to as barbarian art of the early medieval period.

Merovingian fibulae, such as the ones from the mid-6th century, often featured intricate designs including complex interlacing, stylized zoomorphic motifs, and were commonly gilded with silver and covered with gold. Notably, the cloisonné technique was used not just for aesthetic appeal, but also to embed various gemstones and colored glass pieces within those metal wire partitions.

Additionally, the chasing technique, which involved hammering the metal to create designs and textures, was also employed in the creation of these ornate pieces of jewelry.