An exceptional Merovingian gold and garnet pendant necklace, circa 5th–7th century AD
This one-of-a-kind piece centres on a remarkable Merovingian gold jewel dating to the early medieval period, suspended on a handmade necklace of 18-carat gold and garnet beads. The artefact alone weighs approximately 20 grams and is set with its original point-cut garnet — a gem likely to have journeyed from India along early trade routes.
The pendant's bold architecture suggests the symbolic form of a gateway or keyway. The name Portalis pays tribute to this idea, evoking a threshold between worlds. Assaying over 23-carat in purity, the artefact matches material from the famed Childeric hoard. The Merovingians, early Frankish rulers and founders of both France and Germany, buried treasured personal adornments with their elite, resulting in discoveries such as this.
Portalis is a royal treasure and a triumph of ancient design.
