LOT 1145

Volga Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount Group

11TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

5/8 - 1 in. (31.8 grams total, 17-26 mm).

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. [10]

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

Cf. Руденко, К.А., История археологического изучения Волжской Булгарии (X - начало XIII в.), History of the archaeological study of the Volga Bulgarians (10th - beginning of the 13th century, in Russian), Kazan, 2014, figs.179, 759.

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.