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LOT 1187
Merovingian Lettered Openwork Plate Brooch
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 7/8 in. (15.6 grams, 43 mm).
A rectangular bronze brooch decorated with punched ring-and-dot motifs and openwork lettering, possibly 'RIC/VLF'; hinged pin and catch to reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1980s.
Ex UK collection.
Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman.
Cf.Various, Die Franken, Wegbereiter Europas, Mainz, 1996, pp.29, 292.
FootnotesThe 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Post Roman Gallic Figural Amuletic Bone Carving
5th-7th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £910
A carved bone amulet or mount displaying a stylised figural scene: central panel featuring two figures seated back to back at the centre, possibly bound captives, flanked by larger figures seated facing them, holding cups; two orderly rows of centre-facing heads either side; decorative striations to both terminals, pierced twice for attachment. 19.4 grams, 14 cm
Fine condition, small loss to the lower edge at one end.
Previously in the Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. From a Cambridge collection. Property of a North London gentleman.
The piece is curved and slightly twisted in the horizontal plane suggesting that it would be unsuitable for mounting on a piece of furniture or casket unless it formed an inset panel within a larger scene. -
Merovingian Gilt Silver Ring with Garnet
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
A silver finger ring comprising a slender hoop, large bezel with silver-gilt cell and flange with applied filigree braid; inset garnet cloison. 4.36 grams, 23.70 mm overall, 19.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Large Germanic Silver Buckle
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £127
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. 101 grams, 87 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London.
The 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.
