5th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver buckle comprising: a crescent loop with bird-head finials, punched-point detailing and cloison eyes; tongue with beast-head finial; plaque with separate square panel of raised ornament with garnet cloison to each corner, larger central cloison surrounded by eight smaller, profile bird-head to the rear with garnet cloison eye. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.7. 190 grams, 18cm (7"). From an old European collection; acquired in Munich in the 1970s. Very fine condition.