Bone belt buckle from Vevey - 7th c. AD

3D Model

Found in a grave under the church of Saint-Martin in Vevey (Vaud, Switzerland), this carefully carved belt buckle from the 7th century AD depicts scenes from the life of the prophet Jonah. At the top right, Jonah is in a boat when he is thrown into the sea. Below, the tail of the sea monster is visible, as well as Jonah’s head when he is regurgitated. Next to it, he is depicted naked under a vine, perhaps after his arrival on the island of Nineveh, with trees and vines gardens. On the left, three naked dancers holding a cloth seem to symbolize the decadence of Nineveh, the pagan land that Jonah’s mission is to convert. Length: 18 cm. Scan by onsitu.