barbucomedie:

The Tuscany Brooch from Italy dated around 7th Century on display at the British Museum in London

This gilded silver brooch is one of the largest Lombardic examples of its kind. The Lombards were a Germanic peoples who immigrated from Western Hungary and conquered much of Italy. Their influence helped create the characteristic art style decorating this brooch. Interlaced snake-like creatures cover it surfaces, while the foot terminates in a fierce animal head, probably a wild boar, with a double-headed serpent below its snout. The brooch was probably worn to emphasise the owners status and wealth.

Photograph taken by myself