Silver and garnet, 15.06 grams, 40.05 mm. 5th-6th century AD. The headplate and bow from a square-headed bow brooch. The slightly rhomboidal headplate is cast in thick (about 1.5mm) silver. The decoration consists of a broad billeted border enclosing a field of Salin's Style I animal ornament, with four cloisons set regularly across the surface, the two lower ones being discoid and the upper ones scaphoid. The bow features three thick ribs with interstitial billeted bands, surmounted by a circular cloison for a garnet (lost in antiquity). The pin lugs are in place on the reverse. Reference: Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.460-1 item VII.10.12, 13. Good very fine condition. Provenance: Found near Canterbury, Kent, circa 1988 (Treasure Act Ref 2004 T186a and returned to finder). Note: This piece was found in about 1988 and reported at that time to the local Coroner under the former Treasure Trove procedures. It was pictured in Treasure Hunting magazine at that time (issue date details not known). The Coroner returned it to the finder but, in 2004, the BM became aware of the piece and instigated an enquiry. The finder was exonerated and the piece returned to him, hence the existance of a Treasure Act reference 16 years after it was found. A rare and interesting find that would almost certainly be retained under the present Treasure Act finds reporting system.