Royal Navy Rating's Cap

Comprising: two matching ogival plates with pellet borders; a trefoil plate with border of radiating lines framing three concentric circle and oval motifs; a plate with five lobes decorated with dashed lines and six concentric oval motifs at the centre; ogival plate with scalloped border, trefoil motif at centre; ogival plate with pellet border divided into three 'petals' by larger single pellets, scrolling vegetal motif; a floral style plate composed of discoid dimples; irregular hexagonal plate, the shape repeated at the centre, pellet border; trilobate plate with three single pellets to the perimeter and pellet border; ogival plate with expanded waist, raised 'wings' and rounded lozenge against a background of radiating lines; nine with three attachment lugs to reverse, one with two lugs. 31.8 grams total, 17-26 mm

Fine condition.

Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.

The belt fittings find various comparisons with non-ferrous belt appliqués found in the territories of the Volga Bulgars, like specimens from the Semenovsky village. These items were parts of long warrior belts, the leather surfaces decorated all over with such bronze and silver appliqués. Symbols of ranks and elite warrior aristocracy, these belts also served a utilitarian purpose of suspending weapons such as a bow, quiver or a sabre.

Comprising curved and flat plates, some incorporating shaped regions, raised borders and seized ring loops. 450 grams total, 7.2-19.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Composed of a double-edged triangular blade with lentoid cross-section, long lower guard with strip extensions to both faces and edges, iron grip, bronze cotton-reel pommel. 635 grams, 35.5 cm



Ex West German collection, Cologne. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.