A set of Sasanian belt fittings made of silver, late 6th – early 7th centuryThe set of silver belt fittings comprising 13 elements: 1) A tongue-shaped end piece of the main strap. Height approx. 5 mm, hollow wrought. On the front, an undulating tendril with leaves and grapes inside the fields created by the tendrils. In addition, the three central fields with birds pecking at the grapes. A sickle-shaped stamp on the back. The entire length of the side elements have survived, the upper edge of the metal plaques broken away slightly on the front and back. Remnants of the original leather backing on the inside, through which a silver rivet that fastened the leather strap to the strap end is still inserted. Length 9.3 cm, weight 21.93 g. 2) A belt buckle through which the main strap could be drawn. The solid buckle frame slightly constricted at the front, reinforced on the inside with two appendages bent backwards. A strap holder with a tapered, rectangular fitting is folded around a narrow, circular bar on the back of the buckle to attach it on the other end of the main strap. A rivet hole in the middle of the strap holder to fasten the belt. The faceted prong with a prominent, offset prong base set between the two clasps of the strap holder. Length 4.6 cm, weight 18.86 g.3) A small side strap end, rounded at the bottom. Hollow wrought, decorated with a contoured metal band on the front edge and around the upper border. Width approx. 4.5 mm. Just below the edge, two rivets to attach it to the strap for the belt hangers, with remnants of the leather backing. Length 2.8 cm (without the protruding leather backing), weight 3.99 g. 4) Ten identical, circular fittings, comprising a metal plaque on the front, on which the bust of a person has been hammered from the back on at least two different models, two rows of twisted wire forming a frame around the edge of the front, a metal border of approx. 5 mm, and two in most cases on each of the upper and lower edges, along with loops soldered on the back of the front metal plaque, made of thick wire, bent into a circle. One and both loops have been lost on two fittings. Unusually, one fitting has three loops, two on the side and one at the bottom. The busts have been chased on the front with variations on the garments and hairstyle. In particular, the robes are obviously different in some cases. Remnants of the leather backing on several fittings. Diameter of the fittings approx. 2.7 to 2.8 cm. Weighing between 6.59 g (loop broken off) and 9.84 g (leather backing in place).Exceptionally rare and interesting set of fittings from a belt worn by a Sasanian dignitary.Provenance: From a private Rhenish collection, inherited from the consignor's father.Condition: II