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Source Description
Buckles with openwork plates depicting griffins drinking from fountains have been found in many parts of France and Switzerland. The griffin, a mythical creature that is half eagle, half lion, originated in Assyria and symbolized vigilance and ferocity. They were a popular design motif throughout Europe during the Migration period. With the advent of Christianity, the griffin drinking from a cup came to symbolize the soul refreshing itself at the source of everlasting life.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
34292
label
Belt Buckle
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
34292
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Belt Buckle
description
Buckles with openwork plates depicting griffins drinking from fountains have been found in many parts of France and Switzerland. The griffin, a mythical creature that is half eagle, half lion, originated in Assyria and symbolized vigilance and ferocity. They were a popular design motif throughout Europe during the Migration period. With the advent of Christianity, the griffin drinking from a cup came to symbolize the soul refreshing itself at the source of everlasting life.
provenance
Victor Gay, Paris, by purchase; Sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, March 23, 1909, no. 281; Joseph Brummer, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, May 12, 1949, no. 278; Walters Art Museum, 1949, by purchase.
date
7th century (Early Medieval)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Metal
buckles (strap accessories)
imageCount
1
pageCount
1
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
4.3
height
10
depth
1.1
dimensionsRaw
1 11/16 x 3 15/16 x 7/16 in. (4.3 x 10 x 1.1 cm)
Source extras
cul
Frankish
med
bronze
creator_ids
2386
collection_ids
MED
JWL
exhibition_ids
2054
2513
2704
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
6cb61cb2b9fc0cc2