LOT 0337

Merovingian Bronze Harness Buckle with Gold and Garnet Inlays

5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

6 7/8 in. (169 grams, 17.5 cm).

Comprising: ellipsoid loop with hollow reverse; tongue with discoid shield, curved over the forward edge of the loop; rectangular plate with five rectangular segments, each set with two triangular glass cloisons flanking a discoid cabochon, with roundel detailing to the end of each row and three more at the outer end of the plate; slightly domed disc with sheet-gold surface, to the outer edge a series of inset triangular garnet cloison, repoussé segmented band enclosing four roundels with interstitial gammadions, central stepped dome with banded agate cabochon to the centre, hinge knuckles to the outer edge.

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.12138-217045.

Georges A Salles and Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt, Adolphe Stoclet Collection (part I), Brussels, 1956, p.137 (d).

Cf. Heynowski, R., Bestimmungsbuch Archaeologie: Gürtel, Munich, 2017, 8.4.1, for buckle type.

The buckle plate is long and narrow and the loop is proportionate in size, but the inset glass elements have suffered from abrasion and usage wear. Normally, the buckle plate would have four pierced attachment lugs to the reverse, but the reverse of this plate is plain. The large gold-covered panel resembles a phalera or harness fitting rather than a belt-buckle fitting. On this basis, it is suggested that the item is likely a marriage of a belt-buckle with a harness fitting.