Silver, 40.19 grams, 60.68 mm. 5th-6th century AD. A classic form of Merovingian period belt-buckle with discoid plate. The loop is formed as a dished hollow casting with two lobes flanking the couch for the tongue; the flat upper surface of each is pierced to accept a domed rivet, lost in antiquity. The loop articulates on the forward edge of the plate where the funnel-shaped tongue is attached; the tongue curves downwards over the leading edge of the loop. The plate is hollow cast, pierced by three equidistant dome-headed rivets; the leading edge of the plate develops a slotted strap which curves behind the plate to accept the rearmost rivet. Traces of the leather strap remain within the plate's cavity. Reference: cf. the buckle from grave 231(96) at Inzing (Bavaria) in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, p.420 item VI.3.15.3. Very fine condition, stabilized and conserved. Provenance: from an old English collection.