The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star

late 700s-early 800s

Did You Know?

Look carefully at this brooch and notice a small animal, perhaps a dragon, camouflaged amid the swirling whirls of gold.

Description

Women used brooches like this to fasten their veils beneath the chin. Its rare form--a hexagram--suggests that it also functioned as a talisman or amulet to attract good luck and to ward off evil.
  • Offered by Wolfgang Wilhelm, Frankfurt (on consignment from owner):
    " Daniel Kieber, Vaduz (1989-Present)
    " Mr. M. Hoellersberger, Munich (1970-1989, by inheritance)
    " Dr. Herbert Hoellersberger, Vienna (1961-1970)
  • Cleveland Museum of Art. The CMA Companion: A Guide to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2014. Mentioned and reproduced: P. 259
  • {{cite web|title=Brooch in the Form of a Six-Pointed Star|url=false|author=|year=late 700s-early 800s|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2009.344