Silver-gilt, 20.19 grams, 73.53 mm. 4th-8th century AD. A silver belt buckle with restrained use of gilding to highlight aspects of the design. The elliptical loop is dished and the sturdy tongue has a rectangular panel at the rear end; the tongue expands towards the forward edge where it curves over the recessed couch. The plate consists of a circular rear panel with a pair of scrolled panels in front: the upper and lower addorsed comma-shaped panels each bear a small human bust, while the circular panel encloses a bearded male head and shoulders wearing a square-necked tunic and with a gilded cross behind the head. Two attachment lugs are placed medially on the reverse, pierced to accept a securing wire or pin. The shape of the loop suggests a date in the 6th or 7th century AD. The overall form of the buckle is similar to many examples of Byzantine metalwork but the subject matter - Christ (and two of the apostles?) - is unusual for this period. The buckle was worn as an outward show of faith by a cleric or committed Christian magnate. Reference: cf. examples from Concesti grave 42 and Malaya Pereshchepina in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007 p.288 item I.6.3.1, p.311 item I.19.7. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.