Wealth

Like any society, medieval Europe featured differences between people of different social classes. For those that could afford them, luxury objects functioned as a status symbol due to their expensive materials, symbolism, and functions. The intaglio gem, a small carved stone (perhaps amethyst) from the 4th-7th centuries, was most likely mounted on a ring, where it was used as a seal for letters. Not only was the carved gem precious, but its function as a seal served to express the authority of its owner. Similarly, the velvet was used a a sign of prestige for the people who wore and owned it because of its high price, artistry, and complexity.  This particular velvet dates back to a period where the velvet industry in Italy was expanding, so the fabric was available to a wider variety of people, but prior to this velvet was restricted only for special occasions and the very wealthy by sumptuary laws.   The impractically large fifteenth century comb is yet another example of a luxury item that would not have been used by anyone without servants and ample time to devote to hair. Both its form and the courtly love scenes from “Tristan and Isolde” carved onto the comb were a sign that its owner held a high social status. An item similar in function, the 14th century ivory mirror case engraved with courtly love scenes was indicative of both the great wealth and leisurely lifestyle of its owner.The bracelet, crafted sometime in Constantinople between the eleventh and twelfth century, is heavy in silver and worn by a female who could afford the extravagance and wished to demonstrate her wealth and social status. The penannular brooch, a tenth century silver piece of British origin, would have functioned not only as a handy fastener for a coat or kilt, but also as a symbol of status for the traveler who wore it. Finally, the gold belt buckle expressed the wealth and status of men.  Their level of wealth was determined by how intricate the design was and of what material it was made.  This particular belt is gold and is covered in thirteen intertwined creatures, so it would have been owned by a powerful man.

Artifacts
Wealth