Frankish Bronze Buckle with Phallic Symbol

Bird in profile facing right with highly stylised geometric detailing; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 4.9 grams, 37 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

The catchplate has been re-attached with a stud passing through the body of the brooch.

The edges slightly bowed, raised rim enclosing an S-scroll motif in each angle, four rectangular cells each with a replaced inset garnet cloison, central low-relief rosette motif; pin-lug and catch to the reverse, with old collector's reference 'MS232'; some restoration. 9.83 grams, 29 mm

Fine condition, some restoration.

Collection of Dr Hanns-Ulrich Haedeke (1928-2017), author of ‘Schmuck Aus Drei Jahrtausenden’ and who became the director of the Museum of Klingenmuseum in Solingen, Germany, in 1968; the collection was formed in the early 1960s. From an important private Dutch collection. Accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.169958/07/12/2020. This lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.10457-169958.

Comprised of a crescent loop with bird-head finials, punched-point detailing and cloison eyes; tongue with beast-head finial; plaque with separate square panel of raised ornament with garnet cloison to each corner, larger central cloison surrounded by eight smaller, profile bird-head to the rear with garnet cloison eye. 190 grams, 18 cm

Very fine condition.

Acquired in Munich in the 1970s. From an old European collection. Property of an important West London collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11831-206924.

Numerous examples of these buckles, together with stirrup fibulae with buttons, were found in the necropolis of the Bosphorus, brought from the Danube area in the first and second half of the 6th century. They were part of the equipment of burials in crypts or inhumation tombs, dated from the end of the 6th century to the 7th century. Accurate comparisons can be made with a specimen recovered in burial tomb 315 of Eski Kermen, (first half of the 7th century), a grave belonging to a woman of Alan ethnic group, buried with Gothic ornaments.