Early Irish jewellery was hammered out of gold and shaped like a crescent Moon and known as a “Lunula” These were popular in the bronze age no doubt to show status and wealth. Later in Ireland, the penannular brooch developed and was used as a cloak fastener in Medieval times. They were often very ornate and consisted of a semicircular body with a sliding pin for fastening robes. However, the essential shape of the crescent moon persisted.