Brooch
Damascus, Syria
National Museum of Damascus
About National Museum of Damascus, Damascus
Around hegira 5th–6th century / AD 11th–12th century
ع 5881
Woven gold.
Length 7 cm
Fatimid
Possibly Raqqa, Syria.
A gold brooch that was designed to hang from the chest by means of a pin attached to the wearer's clothing. It takes the shape of an upside-down heart and was produced from a web of moulded gold. On its frame are tiny rings, from which hang chains that terminate in different forms: a ball, a bird, a crescent-moon and a knot, all fashioned from woven gold filaments.
Throughout the ages, the women of Syria held as important gold and silver jewellery for decoration and self-beautification, as well as a source for financial security. Finds from numerous archaeological sites have included bracelets, armlets, anklets, brooches, earrings, and rings.
This heart-shaped pendant with dangling charms is an example of Fatimid jewellery and would have been attached to the clothing by a pin or possibly woven through by using the small loops along its edge.
This style and quality of ornamentation is typical of the Fatimid period (358–567 / 969–1171) during which time the production of highly refined gold jewellery flourished in Egypt and Syria. Techniques included filigree, granulation, twisted ropes of gold, and occasionally inlay work with gems. Production included bracelets, armlets, earrings, pendants, rings, belts, brooches, and hair ornaments.
Purchased in 1949 in Raqqa.
During the Fatimid period, the gold-production centres of Syria and Egypt flourished, particularly in Aleppo and Cairo. It is not possible, therefore, to determine a definitive provenance for this object.
Atil, E. et al, Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington DC, 1985.
Seipel, W., Schätze der Kalifen: Islamische Kunst zur Fatimidenzeit, Wien, 1998, pp.119–20; fig. 78.
Mona al-Moadin "Brooch" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;sy;Mus01;18;en
MWNF Working Number: SY 24
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