Early Medieval gombiky from the “Lumbe Garden” cemetery, Prague Castle

0481437 - ARÚ 2018 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Ottenwelter, Estelle - Děd, J. - Barčáková, Ludmila
Early Medieval gombiky from the “Lumbe Garden” cemetery, Prague Castle.
Materials and Manufacturing Processes. Roč. 32, 7-8 (2017), s. 836-849. ISSN 1042-6914. E-ISSN 1532-2475
R&D Projects: GA ČR GAP405/12/2195
Institutional support: RVO:67985912
Keywords : gombiky * Bohemia * jewels * manufacture
OECD category: Archaeology
Impact factor: 2.669, year: 2017

This paper presents a typological and technical study of gombiky (hollow spherical pendants) from the excavations of the Early Medieval cemetery “Lumbe's Garden” in Prague Castle, in which the state elite linked to the early Czech princely environment was buried. The goal of the research is the characterization of the material and the manufacturing techniques. The gombiky were characterized by optical stereomicroscope (Olympus SZ60), X-radiography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), supplemented by electron microanalysis (EDS), and metallographic examination. Replicas were manufactured by a goldsmith. The typological and material study evidenced five main types of gombiky, according to the shells' shape, the decorative technique, and the material. Most of the pieces were of unalloyed copper or copper alloys with a small amount of tin (ca. 2%) and were fire-gilt. The different components are soldered with an Ag-Cu hard solder. A pair of gombiky was made of almost pure silver with ca. 2% of copper. A gold alloy was also identified. The gombiky are decorated by chasing and repoussé, but also with granulation and filigree work, glass cabochons, and gilding.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0276998