Fibula Dorestad creates 'propaganda' for increasingly popular Christianity

The PostEurop organization of the collaborating European postal companies has been issuing stamps with a common theme for over 65 years. For 2025, the theme has become the European postal companies' 'National Archaeological Discoveries'. In connection with this theme, PostNL is issuing the 'Fibula of Dorestad' stamp sheet with six identical stamps for international destinations on May 9, 2025. Issue details: first day of issue 9 May 2025, print run 75.000 sheets, designer Studio Maud van Rossum Amsterdam, photography Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Leiden, lithography Marc Gijzen Voorburg, printer Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé BV Haarlem. Dorestad 1) The fibula from Dorestad, present-day Wijk bij Duurstede, was manufactured in Burgundian workshops during the period 775–800, at the time of Charlemagne (768–814). During that era of the Carolingian Empire, Dorestad was the largest and wealthiest trading city in our country. The merchandise came from all over the world of that time. The (semi-)precious stones of the Dorestad brooch most likely originate from India! Dorestad was a top meeting place for Frisians, Franks, and Scandinavians. 2) During archaeological excavations in the summer of 1969, the cloak pin was found in a well in the early medieval trading city of Dorestad. The ornament may have been hidden in the well during Viking raids. Dorestad fibula stamp 1) The six identical stamps (the right vertical row of stamps is in 'upside-down' orientation) feature an image of a large and a small fibula. Of the latter image, one half appears on the stamp and the other half on the sheet margin. 2) A graphic line interpretation of the geometric pattern of the inlay has been applied around this fibula. The result? The size of both 'circled' info texts is the same (on the white and black backgrounds). 3) The fibula image on the sheet margin represents the true size of the artwork. 4) Incidentally, the Dorestad fibula was already depicted on the Rijksmuseum Oudheden stamp (nvph 3622) in 2018. Dorestad fibula in schematic drawing * The round, gold fibula (brooch, diameter 8½ cm) is inlaid with various colored glass, pearls, enamel, and three large almandine gemstones (the 4th is missing [red semi-precious stones]). * Four pairs of spiral scroll ornaments (volutes resembling stylized bird necks), combined with an equal number of stylized trees of life with leaves and red fruits, fill the brooch as decoration. * The gold wire lines (filigree work by a fine goldsmith) provide stability to the brooch in addition to the images. The decoration is created using the cloisonné technique: flattened gold wire is soldered onto a metal base. The pin on the back, used to fasten the brooch to the shawl, is missing. * Two equal-armed crosses in an upright and chi-shaped position (red plus shape & green x shape) connect eight border stones of the fibula to the large, centrally placed dark red almandine stone (semi-precious stone). * Most likely, a prominent lady from the upper circles of Dorestad wore the cloak pin to fasten the shawl to the cloak at shoulder height. In doing so, the lady literally and figuratively displayed the newly emerging Christian faith as a novelty in a particularly demonstrative manner! Fries Museum – Collection Province of Fryslân Wijnaldum's fibula Following the release of the Dorestad Fibula stamp sheet, I wonder: “Why was the elongated fibula of Wijnaldum (northeast of Harlingen, 8th century, found in a mound in 1953), with its intricate filigree work (fine goldsmithing), not chosen for this issue to avoid image repetition?” This fibula (which incorporates gold and silver) found in the clay during the excavation of a mound, was severely damaged by plowing. Over the years, numerous parts of it have been found by amateur metal detectors, allowing the image of the god Wodan / Odin (flanked by two wolves or bears) to be reconstructed. Response from Maud van Rossum: “The Wijnaldum fibula played no role for me, because the shape of the Dorestad fibula appealed to me more. With this round shape, I could create a graphically interesting image on such a small stamp format. In my view, the Wijnaldum fibula would create an image that was too cluttered. I did not see the fact that the Dorestad fibula had already appeared on a stamp as an obstacle; on the contrary, it underscores what a masterpiece it is in the field of archaeology in the Netherlands. Moreover, the fibula was depicted on a stamp in a completely different way at the time, was part of a number of other objects, and the subject of the stamp sheet was of a completely different order. Back then, the fibula was a supporting character; now, the fibula plays a leading role.”