Copper-alloy, 33.98 grams, 40.13 mm. 5th-6th century AD. A D-shaped cast buckle of classic Merovingian style. The loop is formed with a dished profile and two guide-bars on the outer edge to accept the tongue. The back edge of the loop develops into an openwork plate with two small lugs on the corners. The tongue is cast with a break in the lower face beneath the loop; it is curved to hook over the outer face of the loop and has two 'eyes' on the lower end. The whole piece is decorated with tiny ring-and-dot ornamentation. Reference: cf. the larger example with more ornate plate from Neuchatel, Switzerland, in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.503 item VII.35.1. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.