One of the Netherlands’ most important early medieval archaeological finds has undergone a major restoration, bringing together pieces discovered over more than half a century. The Wijnaldum fibula, an elaborate gold and garnet brooch dating to around AD 600, is now on display in its most complete state since its discovery in 1953.
The restoration was carried out by conservator-restorer Paulien Kaan ahead of the exhibition REDBAD: the legendary king, which opened at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden earlier this month.
Known as an icon of Frisian archaeology, the Wijnaldum fibula has presented something of a puzzle since its discovery more than 70 years ago. Its surviving pieces were found at different times, and the latest restoration has allowed several original fragments to be returned to their proper positions.
For the first time, visitors can also see original fragments from the back of the brooch in place. Adjustments to the head plate have allowed another previously recovered piece to fit more accurately into the surviving design.
An archaeological puzzle decades in the making
Paulien Kaan during the restoration. Photo by Aron Weidenaar.
The story of the fibula began in 1953, when a farm labourer carrying out excavation work on the terp of Tjitsma near Wijnaldum discovered a large piece of gilded gold decorated with red stones.
More fragments were recovered over the following decades. As the pieces accumulated, archaeologists realised that they belonged to an exceptionally elaborate fibula dating to around AD 600. The search did not end in the 20th century. As recently as 2009, another small fragment belonging to the head plate was discovered.
The ‘Fibula of Wijnaldum’, 575–600, found in Wijnaldum, Friesland, gold, almandine, silver, lime, Fries Museum, Leeuwarden | Collection of the Koninklijk Fries Genootschap.
The brooch was decorated with almandine garnets, and research conducted at the Louvre found that the stones had reached the region through long-distance trade routes stretching as far as India. The extraordinary quality of the jewellery suggests that it probably belonged to a woman of royal status.
The fibula therefore offers evidence not only of the wealth of early medieval elites in Frisia, but also of the extensive trading connections linking northern Europe to much more distant regions.
Restoring an early medieval masterpiece
During the restoration. Photo by Aron Weidenaar
Conservators followed a principle of minimal intervention during the latest restoration. Rather than attempting to reconstruct missing sections extensively, Kaan made small changes intended to present the surviving original material more accurately.
The hinge of the pin was moved back to its original position, while a Plexiglas support previously used with the fibula was removed. This allowed several fragments from the reverse to be repositioned, making the back of the object visible to museum visitors for the first time.
Small adjustments were also made to the shape of the head plate. These enabled a previously discovered central fragment, described as the brooch’s “missing link”, to fit more closely into its proper position and make the overall design easier to understand.
Before: The Wijnaldum fibula before its recent restoration. The early medieval gold and garnet brooch dates to around AD 600. Photo: Fries Museum.
Kaan spent several months working on the fibula. “What moved me most is the beauty of the fibula and the craftsmanship of its maker,” she said. “Beneath each stone is gold foil with a fine waffle pattern, which makes the almandines stand out even more. The precision with which this was made is truly impressive.”
Before going on display in Leeuwarden, the restored fibula briefly returned to Wijnaldum, where it had originally been discovered. Residents were given an opportunity to see it on 14 August as part of a programme organised by the Fries Museum and Archeologisch Steunpunt Wijnaldum.
The world of Redbad
Detail of the Wijnaldum fibula, showing its intricate goldwork and garnet settings. The early medieval brooch dates to 575–600. Fries Museum, Leeuwarden | Collection Koninklijk Fries Genootschap.
The newly restored fibula is now one of the central objects in REDBAD: the legendary king, an exhibition examining the world of the Frisian ruler Redbad, who lived from around 670 to 719.
The exhibition places early medieval Frisia within the wider North Sea world and draws upon recent Dutch-German research into the region. Around AD 700, Frisia consisted of several regions united under Redbad’s leadership. His kingdom probably stretched along the North Sea coast from what is now the Dutch-Belgian border to the German-Danish border, with influence extending into the river region around Utrecht.
The Wijnaldum fibula predates Redbad by roughly a century, but provides a glimpse of the wealthy elite society that developed in the region before his reign.
It is being displayed alongside major international loans, including the Odin of Lejre from Denmark and the clothing of the Man of Bernuthsfeld from Germany.
The exhibition forms part of a larger European project involving nine Dutch and German partners. Researchers, museums and educational institutions are also collaborating on a scholarly publication, a book for general readers, educational programming and the historical role-playing game Mythwatch: The Age of Redbad.
REDBAD: the legendary king will remain at the Fries Museum until 7 February 2027, after which it will travel to the Ostfriesisches Landesmuseum Emden in Germany.
Top Image: The Wijnaldum fibula following restoration, with original fragments returned to their proper positions and the surviving design made more complete. Photo: Fries Museum.
One of the Netherlands’ most important early medieval archaeological finds has undergone a major restoration, bringing together pieces discovered over more than half a century. The Wijnaldum fibula, an elaborate gold and garnet brooch dating to around AD 600, is now on display in its most complete state since its discovery in 1953.
The restoration was carried out by conservator-restorer Paulien Kaan ahead of the exhibition REDBAD: the legendary king, which opened at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden earlier this month.
Known as an icon of Frisian archaeology, the Wijnaldum fibula has presented something of a puzzle since its discovery more than 70 years ago. Its surviving pieces were found at different times, and the latest restoration has allowed several original fragments to be returned to their proper positions.
For the first time, visitors can also see original fragments from the back of the brooch in place. Adjustments to the head plate have allowed another previously recovered piece to fit more accurately into the surviving design.
An archaeological puzzle decades in the making
The story of the fibula began in 1953, when a farm labourer carrying out excavation work on the terp of Tjitsma near Wijnaldum discovered a large piece of gilded gold decorated with red stones.
More fragments were recovered over the following decades. As the pieces accumulated, archaeologists realised that they belonged to an exceptionally elaborate fibula dating to around AD 600. The search did not end in the 20th century. As recently as 2009, another small fragment belonging to the head plate was discovered.
The brooch was decorated with almandine garnets, and research conducted at the Louvre found that the stones had reached the region through long-distance trade routes stretching as far as India. The extraordinary quality of the jewellery suggests that it probably belonged to a woman of royal status.
The fibula therefore offers evidence not only of the wealth of early medieval elites in Frisia, but also of the extensive trading connections linking northern Europe to much more distant regions.
Restoring an early medieval masterpiece
Conservators followed a principle of minimal intervention during the latest restoration. Rather than attempting to reconstruct missing sections extensively, Kaan made small changes intended to present the surviving original material more accurately.
The hinge of the pin was moved back to its original position, while a Plexiglas support previously used with the fibula was removed. This allowed several fragments from the reverse to be repositioned, making the back of the object visible to museum visitors for the first time.
Small adjustments were also made to the shape of the head plate. These enabled a previously discovered central fragment, described as the brooch’s “missing link”, to fit more closely into its proper position and make the overall design easier to understand.
Kaan spent several months working on the fibula. “What moved me most is the beauty of the fibula and the craftsmanship of its maker,” she said. “Beneath each stone is gold foil with a fine waffle pattern, which makes the almandines stand out even more. The precision with which this was made is truly impressive.”
Before going on display in Leeuwarden, the restored fibula briefly returned to Wijnaldum, where it had originally been discovered. Residents were given an opportunity to see it on 14 August as part of a programme organised by the Fries Museum and Archeologisch Steunpunt Wijnaldum.
The world of Redbad
The newly restored fibula is now one of the central objects in REDBAD: the legendary king, an exhibition examining the world of the Frisian ruler Redbad, who lived from around 670 to 719.
The exhibition places early medieval Frisia within the wider North Sea world and draws upon recent Dutch-German research into the region. Around AD 700, Frisia consisted of several regions united under Redbad’s leadership. His kingdom probably stretched along the North Sea coast from what is now the Dutch-Belgian border to the German-Danish border, with influence extending into the river region around Utrecht.
The Wijnaldum fibula predates Redbad by roughly a century, but provides a glimpse of the wealthy elite society that developed in the region before his reign.
It is being displayed alongside major international loans, including the Odin of Lejre from Denmark and the clothing of the Man of Bernuthsfeld from Germany.
The exhibition forms part of a larger European project involving nine Dutch and German partners. Researchers, museums and educational institutions are also collaborating on a scholarly publication, a book for general readers, educational programming and the historical role-playing game Mythwatch: The Age of Redbad.
REDBAD: the legendary king will remain at the Fries Museum until 7 February 2027, after which it will travel to the Ostfriesisches Landesmuseum Emden in Germany.
Top Image: The Wijnaldum fibula following restoration, with original fragments returned to their proper positions and the surviving design made more complete. Photo: Fries Museum.
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