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LOT 1186
Large Germanic Silver Buckle
6TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (101 grams, 87 mm).
A heavy silver belt buckle, the bow and tongue decorated with raised nodules, rectangular plate with beaded edges, pierced through the corners, modern plate for attachment.
ProvenanceAcquired mid 1980s to early 1990s.
Private family collection formed in London.
See Kokowski, A., Leiber, C., Die Vandalen: Die Könige, die Eliten, die Krieger, die Handwerker, Nordstemmen 2003, p.391; see also Archäologischen Landesmuseum, Die Alamannen, Stuttgart, 1997, p.263.
FootnotesThe construction of the buckle loop and tongue could suggest that this object originates from the Heruli culture, when compared to finds like those from the Ulów graves. Another possibility is that the buckle belongs to Alemannic or Frankish culture. The rectangular buckle plate seems to be an addition from a different buckle of Gothic type, but the assemblage could have been done already in antiquity.
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Migration Period Gold Filigree Bracteate Pendant
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Opening Bid: £90
A bracteate pendant composed of a sheet-gold body decorated with an X-motif formed of gold granules within a filigree roundel, additional rings and crescents of small granules at the centre, applied suspension loop. 1.19 grams,19 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman. -
Merovingian Gold Ring with Garnet in Lozenge Bezel
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,276
A gold finger ring comprising a lozengiform bezel and twisted hoop; applied filigree bilinear frame to the bezel enclosing four applied filigree hoops and central cell with inset garnet cloison over a waffle-pattern gold-foil reflector. 3.16 grams, 22.79 mm overall, 20.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11651-199135. -
Merovingian Lettered Openwork Plate Brooch
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £165
A rectangular bronze brooch decorated with punched ring-and-dot motifs and openwork lettering, possibly 'RIC/VLF'; hinged pin and catch to reverse. 15.6 grams, 43 mm
Fine condition.
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. The name 'Riculf' or 'Ricolf' belonged to a bishop of Cologne, Germany, from 763 to 784 A.D.
