Fibulas

The oldest known coloured fibulas (cloak pins) have been found in Merovingian graves. They are inlaid with small pieces of red almandine, for instance to represent birds’ eyes and the hearts of flowers. But this period also witnessed the first use of cloisonné enamel, in which inlaid almandine was combined with coloured glass. This was the most luxurious kind of jewellery. Multi-coloured fibulas denoted high status.