Silver, 24.66 grams, 62.57 mm. Circa 5th-6th century AD. A beautifully preserved silver crossbow brooch from the Merovingian Period. The crossbar has two diamond-section terminals which retain the double-coiled spring which extends into the pin, resting behind the catchplate. The bow connects to the cross bar between the spring coils and is formed with lateral ribs forming a v-section central groove. A transverse bar forms a broad-armed cross with and expanding tail, which returns behind the face-plate to form the catchplate. This type of brooch originates from the East Germanic re-settlers of the Black Sea coastal regions in the 5th-6th centuries AD. Reference: Ribakov, B.A., Makarova, T.I. & Pletneva, S.A. Crimea, the North - East Black Sea Coast and Transcaucasia to an Epoch of the Middle Ages catalogue items. III.8.1, 13.3.3. Extremely fine condition. Ex old European collection.