Copper-alloy, 12.77 grams, 30.26 mm. 8th-9th century AD. The mount represents one element in a series which were intended to be attached to a belt, strap, harness or bridle. The item is cast hollow with shallow curvature to the outer face, and more pronounced to the inner to save metal and reduce weight. The upper edge has a semi-circular projection which corresponds to a similar-shaped recess on the lower; placed close together in series on a textile or leather backing, the mounts would flex efficiently. The decoration consists of a three-strand concentric roundel on the projection within a three-strand semicircular border; from this there are two lateral three-strand bands which pass over the border, forming loops on the outer edge and returning to pass over the three-strand border of the recess. A transverse carinated ridge is placed between the semicircular borders. Two fixing pins are present on the reverse, and the attachment points for two more are visible. Belt-sets of this type are known from the eastern Baltic region in the earlier Viking Age (for example, the Ziemgalian site at Ziedonskola, Latvia) although the exact form of this piece is not evidenced elsewhere. Reference: Griciuviene, E. Ziemgaliai - The Semigalians, Riga, 2005, p.44. Very fine condition.