Un mondo pericoloso. Tesori bizantini del VII secolo

The article addresses general issues concerning the objects contained in early-Byzantine treasures, with special consideration of those from the 7th century. Problems of contextual and typological interpretation are discussed, highlighting the importance of the female element in the transmission of jewels and their representative meanings. From these treasures, it is possible to deduce the existence of different categories of owners based on the characteristics, number, and quality of the objects. These range from a single set of female jewellery to large collections of items, coins, and silverware. Instead of seeking clues about production in Constantinople, given the current state of knowledge and pending significant discoveries in the Byzantine capital, it seems more appropriate to speak of “class jewellery” in relation to the one associated with the international aristocracies.