Frankish Art

Who were the Franks?• One of many Germanic

nomads pushing into Roman Empire

• Most influential barbarian tribe because they convert to Roman Catholic Christianity during Merovingian Dynasty (5th to 8th century CE)

• Height during Carolingian Dynasty (8th to 10th century CE)

• Charlemagne revives title of Holy Roman Emperor

     = Roman Empire        = Frankish federation

                                                                                                                                   

         = Salian Franks 358            = Conquests to 460            = Conquests to 482

         = Frankish Kingdom 482            = Conquests to 496            = Conquests to 507

     = Frankish Kingdom 511         = Conquests to 537        = Vassal states

         = Frankish Kingdom 768            = Conquests to 814             = Losses 798           = Loosely held territories

Ring with a Cross, 6th century CE, Gold filigree, cloisonné cells inset with garnet;

• Worn by high ranking men and women

• Sometimes used as seals but mostly decorative

• Sophistication of Frankish metalwork

Pair of Bird-Shaped Brooches, 550–600 CEGold sheet, cloisonné cells

Brooch with a runic inscription on back Merovingian, 6th century CE Length: 7.4 cm

Glass drinking-horn Frankish/Merovingian, 5th century CE

Animal head from Oseberg ship burial,

ca. 825 CE, wood, about five feet tall

Germanic animal style

Belt Buckle, 675–725 CE; Found in Germany; Iron with silver inlays.

Iron and silver buckle Merovingian, 7th century CE

Iron axe-head inlaid with silver Merovingian, 7th century CEFrom Germany Length: 17.5 cm

•A ceremonial or battle axe•The throwing axe was the favorite weapon of the Franks•Silver in-lay shows the status/military rank of original owner

Frankish "Claw" Beaker, 400–600 CE

Fragment of a Sarcophagus, 700s CE•Monogram of Christ (Chi and Ro) along with alpha and omega – common motifs

•Non-Greek speaking sculptor

Equestrian statuette of Charlemagne 9th CenturyBronze, Maximum height of horse: 21 cm

•Artists took up the Gallo-Roman tradition of casting and based their works on examples from antiquity