Ca. 500-700 AD. A gold buckle comprising a round-section loop, and a pair of rectangular plaques, each decorated with five bosses arranged in a line. Plaques are conjoined to the rear with a riveted gold cell with a beaded border and set with a beautiful garnet cabochon. Good condition. At the time of the fall of the Roman Empire, other cultures began to evolve, grow and eventually prosper and their culture and art thrived. The Merovingians (476-750 AD) were one such group and they are traditionally reckoned as the "first race" of the kings of France. For more information on Merovingian buckles and belts, see Effros, B. & Moreira, I. (2020). The Oxford Handbook of the Merovingian World. Oxford University Press. Size: L:39.5mm / W:19.3mm ; 20.07g Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market since the 1970s.