RETURNING TO THE DISC BROOCH OF GRAVE 422 IN CHIAROMONTE, SAN PASQUALE (PROV. POTENZA / I): OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIVE PROPOSALS

The disc brooch from Chiaromonte (prov. Potenza / I), San Pasquale locality, has been known since the mid- 1990s 1 when a substantial early medieval graveyard was discovered in the town (figs 1-2). In the latest volume of the history of the research conducted in Chiaromonte 2, the brooch is studied from a typological point of view, however, there are still many questions around this refined and detailed jewellery product. This paper examines the technical and decorative features of the brooch and its typological comparisons in the Italian peninsula 3. These details allow for a broader consideration of the process of the jewel’s manufacturing, of the skills of the goldsmith, and of the relationship between the artisan and the client. These reflections make a small but significant contribution to the current knowledge on the Lombard age goldsmith production of the Italian peninsula