7th century AD. A silver brooch comprising a D-shaped headplate with addorsed profile horse-heads above and three piercings, shallow bow with lateral vertical bars, footplate with similar horse-heads and lateral bars flanking a median panel with horse-head in plan finial, tremolier bands following the edge contours, pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.32.1 for type. 34 grams, 10.5cm (4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s.