6th-7th century A.D. A rectangular brooch decorated with punched ring-and-dot motifs and openwork lettering, hinged pin and catch to reverse. Cf.Various, Die Franken, Wegbereiter Europas, Mainz, 1996, pp.29, 292. 15.6 grams, 43 mm (1 7/8 in.). Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex UK collection. Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman. The item was probably part of a Merovingian belt fitting, later transformed in brooch with the application of the pin and catch.