Brooch with Intaglio of an Emperor

A gold brooch set around a deep blue intaglio carved with a male profile facing right, its hair in tight rows. Pearls and open gold loops form a star-like border, with the ring of the setting ringing the stone. The gray ground isolates the piece for close study.

Look closer: Small pearls set in gold collets alternate with the open loops around the border.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 950–1000 (setting); 337–50 (intaglio)

Medium

Star sapphire, pearls, gold

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

2978 × 3722 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Collection, 1988