Orsolya Heinrich-Tamáska, "Finds decorated with garnets from Early Avar contexts in the light of their cell techniques", in: Barbara Armbruster, Heidemarie Eilbracht, Oliver Hahn and Orsolya Heinrich-Tamáska (Eds.), Verborgenes Wissen. Innovation und Transformation feinschmiedetechnischer Entwicklungen im diachronen Vergleich, Berlin: Edition Topoi, 2016, 183–219

Abstract

The present contribution concerns the Early Avar (late 6th and first half of the 7th century AD) metal objects ornamented with garnets from the perspective of the inlay techniques employed. Such inlays occur exclusively on objects made of precious metals, indicating the high value placed on these stones. Besides standard cloisonné, it has been possible to identify techniques such as soldered band settings of single and multiple cells and open-work cellwork (pseudo cloisonné, champlevé à jour) as well as sunken settings (cast cavities) of single and multiple cells (standard champlevé). Their specific characteristics identify them as representing diverse workshop traditions and the finds assemblages can be sub-divided into three groups: a group that suggests links with the Merovingian-Germanic cultural sphere, and two sub-groups that can be traced back to Late Roman and early Byzantine traditions. Future research may establish whether this division into groups reflects alternative distribution networks for the procurement of garnets.

Published In

Barbara Armbruster, Heidemarie Eilbracht, Oliver Hahn and Orsolya Heinrich-Tamáska (Eds.), Verborgenes Wissen. Innovation und Transformation feinschmiedetechnischer Entwicklungen im diachronen Vergleich, Berlin: Edition Topoi, 2016