5th-6th century AD. A large silver-gilt eagle-type belt buckle with rectangular plaque, D-shaped loop and zoomorphic tongue; the plaque with scroll detail to the border and cell to each corner with inset cabochon garnet(?), rear extension in the form of an eagle-head in profile with scrolls to the neck around a triangular flat bed garnet(?), and cabochon garnet(?) eye; to the centre of the plaque a discoid cell inset large cabochon garnet (replaced); the loop hollow to the reverse, with running scroll and zigzag ornament and four cells with inset cabochon garnets(?); the tongue trapezoidal in section with scroll detail to the forward end and inset garnet(?) cabochon to either side. Cf. Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, items I.7.1, I.8.10.73 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). Ex N. Alexander collection, Brighton, UK, circa 1980. 'Eagle' buckles are typical of the period of Gothic dominance of the Black Sea region from the 3rd century onwards. Political control by the Goths was broken after their disastrous defeat by the Huns in the 5th century, but the area surrounding Crimea remained culturally distinct for centuries afterwards.