Copper-alloy, 55.52 grams, 61.56 mm diameter. 5th-7th century AD. An unusual example of a cast bifacial purse-ring fitting. The outer ring comprises alternating bulbs and ribbed collars. The central design comprises a triskele of zoomorphic head-and-neck elements with ring-and-dot eyes and punched pellet detailing along the necks and onto the sprues connecting to the outer ring. Fittings of this kind, with decoration on both sides, are often found in combination with the chatelaine or suspension chain; they are sometimes understood to have supported the closure of a cloth or leather bag. They are uncommon in England, but are found in Merovingian Period female graves among the Continental Alamanni and Bajuwaren. Reference: cf. similar openwork fittings published in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.441 item VI.7.1.2 and p.443 item VI.7.2.6. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found Norfolk.