On the Interpretation of Orans Reliefs on Carolingian Disc Brooches

Abstract

Two hitherto scarcely known types of cast disc brooches from the Carolingian period show a relief of a person (en face) with lifted or extended arms in an orans posture. These nameless / anonymous orantes – although without nimbus – represent identifiable saints. The half figure of a standing individual with emphasised waist is the Mother of God (Maria Orans) whereas the rider on his horse with his arms spread out represents Martin of Tours († 397), the Frankish national saint. Because of the little space available on the very small disc brooches the depiction chosen was not that of the famous scene of Martin splitting the coat but that of an orans posture as if carrying the two halves of the split coat. In an amazing way, this unusual motive from the 9th century resembles the praying riders on western Frankish decorative discs. Therefore the decorative discs of this type could be the oldest archaeological evidence for the veneration of Saint Martin.