8th century BC. A copper-alloy rectangular belt-clasp with embossed openwork design in the centre surrounded by a wide squared border decorated with seven bosses and a hook, the design in the centre consisting of an ibex facing left, the animal has a concentric ring design running from the back to the head with two long curved back-facing horns. See Curtis, J.E. & Kruszynski, M., Ancient Caucasian and Related Material in The British Museum, London, 2002.106 grams total, 80mm including stand (3"). Acquired on the 6th November 1988; formerly with F.N. Nejad Zurich, Switzerland. In the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age there were flourishing cultures throughout Transcaucasia, often with close links to the Koban culture but also with distinctive local features. These included the Koban-Colchian culture in western Georgia, the east Georgian culture, and the Ganja-Karabakh culture based on Azerbaijan. Brass belt clasps of this distinctive kind have only been found in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, made from cast metal. They may imitate plaques of thin gold or silver, decorated with twisted wire and filigree, which would have been nailed at the corners to wood or leather backings.