5th-6th century AD. A silver belt-buckle with discoid plate, the loop formed as a dished hollow casting with two lobes flanking the couch for the tongue; the flat upper surface of each is pierced to accept a domed rivet, lost in antiquity; funnel-shaped tongue; the plate hollow cast, pierced by three equidistant dome-headed rivets; the leading edge of the plate develops a slotted strap which curves behind the plate to accept the rearmost rivet. Cf. the buckle from grave 231(96) at Inzing (Bavaria) in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.420, item VI.3.15.3. 36 grams, 60mm (2 1/4"). Property of a UK gentleman; acquired 2008. [No Reserve]