Ostrogothic eagle brooch with cloisonné - right side.

Detailed reproduction of an Ostrogothic eagle brooch based on a historical model from the Capitoline Museum.

In 1888, a pair of precious Ostrogothic eagle brooches from the 5th to 6th century AD were found in a mausoleum in the Saint Valentino cemetery on the Via Flaminia near Rome. They were decorated with cloisonné and gold cell work on gilded silver foil with almandines and rock crystal.

Our replica, on the other hand, is made of red and white enamelled glass, whereby the underlying cell work is shown to its best advantage. The historical originals are now in the possession of the Capitoline Museum in Rome.

Link to the original eagle brooch...

On the back of the Ostrogothic eagle brooch is a stable pin construction with a spiral spring, which gives the needle the necessary tension and also makes the brooch suitable for strong woollen fabrics.

You can buy this brooch in high-quality bronze or genuine silver-plated.
Alternatively, also available in 925 sterling silver (please note the delivery time).
Alloy...

Dimensions of the eagle brooch: 4.5 x 3 x 1 cm.

In addition to this brooch for the right side, you can also buy a left-sided model, as the original brooches were also used in pairs to close the peplos of the Germanic women's garment on the shoulders.

There is also a matching eagle-shaped pendant to choose from, which can be worn around the neck with a leather strap.

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In archaeology, the eagle is considered a characteristic element in the Goths' art of use. And indeed, from the Black Sea across the Danube region to Italy and Spain, there are many depictions of eagles, both among the Ostrogoths and the Visigoths.

The eagle motif was adopted by the Goths from the second half of the 4th century onwards from Sarmatian models after the conquest of the southern Russian territories. In contrast to other Germanic peoples, the Goths in Spain and Spain used the eagle as their only zoomorphic motif.

The adoption of the eagle motif by the Goths could be linked to their early Christianisation in the middle of the 4th century. In early Christianity, the eagle was regarded as a symbol of the Christian heaven and the resurrection of Christ as saviour or bearer of salvation. As well, it was considered as the comprehensive power of God over creation, and the eagle was regarded as a sign of baptised believers.

Gothic eagle brooches were used both in pairs and individually. As a rule, women wore them as paired brooches, pinned symmetrically on the shoulders or chest, similar to the practice of other Germanic tribes.

However, there is also archaeological evidence of eagle brooches worn individually, either as a clasp for a garment or as a representative single piece, as well as individual finds of eagle brooches in the context of high-ranking male burials.