Silver-gilt, 24.99 grams, 74.72 mm. 6th century AD. A very large hollow-cast quadrangular buckle plate of a recognized Gothic design found across the Ukraine. The plate consists of concentric zones of decoration: a raised border with offset triangular punched detailing, outside a zone of roundels linked by inclined bars surrounding a further raised border with offset triangular punchmarks enclosing a central square void. (The void is probably original, although examples are known which held a glass or garnet cabochon.) On the back edge of the plate the outer raised border continues along a subtriangular neck to a dished bird-head with central punched roundel eye; on the lower edge a curved beak is placed. The neck is infilled with concentric panels. The ends of the extension straps which held the buckle loop are present on the front edge of the plate, pierced for rivets, one of which is still in place. There are five circular piercings for rivets to attach the plate to the belt. Reference: similar in design to Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.321 item I.33.6.1 and cf. items I.7.1, I.8.10, I.8.11, I.9.2, I.9.5, I.9.8.1, I.14.2 and I.18.1, I.33.6.1. Near extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found eastern Europe.