Why a tiny three-centimetre buckle reveals the ambition of early medieval blacksmiths
In short: Curator Sue Brunning highlights an exceptionally detailed buckle from the British Museum collection. Despite its small size, this mundane object showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of an early medieval artisan who refused to let limited space hinder their creative expression.
The buckle, measuring only three centimetres, was likely once part of an early medieval satchel. While the object itself is small, the blacksmith responsible for its creation managed to pack an astounding level of intricate decoration into the design.
This piece was selected for the Curators Cornered series, which aims to identify the most impressive items within the British Museum collection across various categories. The series originated during a period when staff were working from home, providing a unique lens through which to examine the museum's vast holdings.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sue's Really Tiny Early Medieval Buckle | #CuratorsCornered Ostentatiously Decorated Mundane Object
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