6th-7th century AD. A belt buckle set of triangular type comprising: tapering plate pierced in three places to accept large domed rivets, with strap to the reverse; tongue of 'shield' type with front edge curved over the loop; loop of D-shape; the whole buckle inlaid with silver wire in the Tauschierung technique with radiating bands to the loop, geometric squares, loops and crosses to the tongue and panels of guilloche, meander and radiating semicircles to the plate. See Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.427. 75 grams, 12cm (4 1/4"). From an old London collection formed in the late 1990s. Fine condition. Rare.