Germanic Bronze Belt Buckle

Or Ostrogothic, comprising a rectangular panel with four fixing studs, central ellipsoid cell surrounded by garnet cloisons with stepped edges; central cell replaced. 9.81 grams, 33 mm



UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

Comprising: ellipsoid loop with hollowed underside; tongue with D-shaped shield bearing stylised facing mask among pellets, waisted and curved over the forward edge of the loop; rectangular plate with applied sheet-gold triangular panels bearing repoussé rings, waves, points and other motifs, gold cellwork and segmented frame with garnet cloisons, a central garnet cabochon, segmented rim; four pierced attachment lugs to the reverse. 147 grams, 98 mm



From the collection of Adolphe Stoclet, 1871-1949. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12137-217046.

The buckle plate is large and impressive, while the loop is somewhat narrower and may have been replaced. The central cabochon is a feature of buckle plates from this period (e.g. Menghin, IX.3.1, IX.5.1). The tongue-shield is of an unusual type more often found in Frankish contexts (e.g. Menghin, VII.40.18, MacGregor 77.24, 77.25, 77.26) of the same period.

Lentoid in section with thick-cut teeth to one edge and fine-cut to the other. 15.09 grams, 82 mm



Ex private central European collection. with Tkalec AG, Limmatquai 48, Zurich, early 2000s. Acquired from the above, 2006.