A customer had a really enchanting idea: Apparently she and some of her former classmates were so happy with their history teacher at the time that after all these years they wanted to give him a unique and extraordinary gift out of sheer gratitude for the valuable time they spent together: A golden one Almandine disc brooch in patinated museum quality.
This should be a model for this again a primer which we had already made a few months ago in heavily patinated silver. Apparently our customer liked this brooch so much that she has now ordered another version from us - this time made of pure gold.
As with the silver version, all almandines in museum quality were individually hand-ground into the gold disc fibula and backed true to the original with a fine gold waffle foil made by us. In our opinion, this is the only way we can achieve extreme closeness to the ancient models. Here is the finished result:
Almandine disc brooches are fascinating artifacts from the late Roman and early Byzantine periods that played a significant role in the jewelry and clothing fashions of these eras. These brooches were part of the rich cultural tradition of the ancient Mediterranean and are often seen as a symbol of the transition from the Roman to Byzantine era.
The term “almandine” refers to the type of gemstone that was commonly used in these brooches. Almandine is a variety of the mineral garnet and is characterized by its deep red color, often reminiscent of rubies. These intense red stones have been carefully incorporated into the brooches to add a touch of luxury and elegance.
The disc brooches were a form of brooches that consisted of two flat discs connected together by a pin or needle. They were used to fasten clothing and at the same time function as jewelry. The almandine disc brooches often featured ornate decorations and engravings depicting mythological motifs, geometric patterns, or Christian symbols, depending on the time and cultural context.
These brooches were particularly popular among wealthy citizens and members of the clergy, who wore them as an expression of their social status and aesthetic taste. They were worn by both men and women and were an important part of ancient fashion. Their distribution extended from the urban centers of the Roman Empire to the most remote provinces, which underlines their cultural importance.
Today, almandine disc brooches are sought-after collector's items and are exhibited in museums around the world. They give us a fascinating insight into the life and art of late Roman and early Byzantine societies and remind us of the diversity and richness of the ancient cultures that shaped our modern world.
Our customer was ultimately very satisfied with our “museum quality primer” and treated us to a wonderful compliment:
“… the piece arrived today. Beautiful work, we are really impressed. I think we would like to have another object made right away. Get in touch. See you soon…