Bronze and Glass Eagle Brooches from Guadalajara, Spain dated to the 6th Century CE on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain
Twin brooches like this were often used to secure capes and tunics as well as to symbolise the wearers socioeconomic status. Such artwork was difficult and expensive to produce and the crafters were highly skilled. Sadly the crafters are often forgotten in history with the wearer given more status as they could afford to buy the art.
Eagles in art were common in the late antiquity especially with the new kingdoms and empires emerging after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. With the eagels connection to the Romans, many new states used the symbol to signify they were the successors to them.
Photographs taken by myself 2026
