6th century AD. A large eagle-type belt buckle with rectangular plaque, D-shaped loop and zoomorphic tongue; the plaque with running scroll detail to the border and cell to each corner with inset cabochon garnet, rear extension in the form of an eagle-head in profile with scrolls to the neck and cabochon garnet eye; to the centre of the plaque a discoid cell with beaded wire collar, inset large cabochon garnet with flat facet; the loop hollow to the reverse, with running scroll ornament and four cells with inset cabochon garnets; the tongue trapezoidal in section with beast-head detail to the forward end, four inset cabochon garnets. Cf. adlerschnalle buckle types in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, items I.7.1, I.8.10. 91 grams, 13cm (5"). Property of a London collector, acquired before 1980.

Very fine condition.