Copper-alloy, 24.24 grams, 68.87 mm. Circa 7th-10th century AD. A hinged buckle comprising three components. The loop is D-shaped, elliptical in section and held by two straps emerging from beneath the shield-shaped plate. The tongue is narrow with a ribbed collar at the inner end, looped over the rear bar of the loop. The plate is pierced by two rivets which secure the backplate. Reference cf. Plamonov, S. and Taryma, S. Platar Catalogue, Kiev, 2004 items 11.e,f and with a similar shaped plate cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007 item I.2.2.1. Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection.