The Tara Brooch was crafted in the late 7th or early 8th c. to fasten the cloak of someone who, based on the high quality of the artifact, must have been a figure of some importance. Made of bronze, silver, gold, and colored glass, the piece features elaborate filigree which is unparalleled for the time in Ireland.
The piece was found c. 1850 in County Meath. Its name comes from the Hill of Tara, but it is not actually connected with that place, the name being marketing gimmick by an early owner who sold reproductions.
The artifact is on display in Dublin at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
by japanese_american
5 Comments
…at the….
It both looks mechanical and fantastical, like it’s out of a Del Toro movie or Lord of the Rings
Hmm, the dragon’s head look a lot like Norse/Urnes ornaments
This photo is way too low resolution to do it justice. The details are tiny and amazing.
It is truly exquisite. I’ll have to read about how they determined it wasn’t made at the time it was found (since it is so uncharacteristically finely crafted)