The Alemanni, (4th to 8th c. A.D.)

Pottery

1. Ceramics from the grave of an Alemannic aristocratic youth, 4th c., which are close to Roman models. Because  Alemann ethnogenesis occurred within the Roman cultural sphere, the Alemanni were highly Romanized.

2. 6th-century Alemann gravegood. Freehand pot that  shows Middle-Danubian influences.

Metalwork

1. Helmet from a Alemann aristocratic grave, beg. 6th  c. Germanic peoples often adopted the Sassanid helmet design introduced into the West by the Romans, but this helmet lacks  decorative designs (Güttlingen). In the 4th and 5th c., the Alemanni were often at war with the Franks, and at the time of Clovis (c.  506) were beaten. While some chiefs fled to Theodoric, most Alemmann  dukes were thereafter left to govern Alamania under the authority of  the Frankish kings.

2. Alamann pressed lead repoussé sword hilt. 7th c.  From Guttenstein, Baden. Pre-Christian theme, perhaps a human figure  wearing an animal mask at a sacred tree.

3. Open bronze disk showing Hercules (?) with  zoomorphic rim. Gammertingen grave, first half 7th c. A.D.  (Sigmaringen: Fürst. Hohenzollernisches Museum). 3.25" dia.

4. Alemann open style bronze disk from Oberesslingen,  Württenberg. 7th c. A.D. (Esslingen: Stadtmuseum) 3.25". A horseman with lowered lance.

5. Alamann stamped copper on wood Ennabeuren Reliqary. 7th c. A.D. (Würtemburg: Ennabeuren Church). 3.5".  Reflects the syncretism of pagan and Christian themes.

6. Alemann round fibula from a princess' grave in  Wittislingen. 7th c. A.D. (München: Prähist. Mus.) A 3.25" gold disk  with inlaid garnet, filigree, and cloisonné. Four pairs of twined serpents with gaping mouths form a cross. Round fibula are probably derived from a late Roman design. Not only did the culture and law of the Alemann aristocracy survive Frankish hegemony, but ducal  independence in the Frankish frontier zone actually increased under the late Merovingians. Bythe early 8th c. the dukes had become  independent. Their vitality has been associated with their  Christianization by Irish missionary monks, as manifested by the  cross on this fibula.

7. Radiating head looped fibula. Wittislinger  princess' grave. 7th c. A.D. (München: Prähistorisches Museum). 6.25." Silver gilt with nielo, filigree, and stone inlays.

8. "Casket of Teudericus" reliquary from the second  half of the 7th c. (?) (Canton Valais: Saint Maurice Abbey  treasury). This reliquary is a product of the monastic workshop of  St. Maurice d'Agaune. Signed by the artist and dedicated by the  Priest Teudericus to the monastery. Gold cloisonné, gemstones, and  cameo on wood. 5.25"

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