BYZANTINE MASSIVE BUCKLE WITH PLATE 8th-12th century AD A substantial gilt-bronze buckle set comprising: a square buckle-plate with raised octofoil and superimposed quatrefoil lined with pellets, beaded dome to the centre, pierced lugs to the underside and securing pin; C-shaped loop with raised kidney-shaped inner plaque, flared ribbed fins to the rear, strap to the rear bar with securing rivet; trefoil-section tongue with curved forward end, loop to the underside. 395 grams total, plate: 54mm (2 1/4"). Fine condition, tongue separate. Provenance From an important private London collection; formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Literature See Bishop, M.C. and Coulston, C.N. Roman Military Equipment, London, 1993. Footnotes This type of buckle is known as a Crested Closed Loop Dolphin due to the design of two facing, or sometimes, as in this example, opposing dolphins that form the loop. The type became popular in the late third century AD as a military fitting and continued into the Byzantine period. On this example the dolphins have become highly stylised with only the crests visible.The square belt plate with faceted flower motif can be compared with examples from the Danubian cultures of Migration Period peoples.
BYZANTINE MASSIVE BUCKLE WITH PLATE 8th-12th century AD A substantial gilt-bronze buckle set comprising: a square buckle-plate with raised octofoil and superimposed quatrefoil lined with pellets, beaded dome to the centre, pierced lugs to the underside and securing pin; C-shaped loop with raised kidney-shaped inner plaque, flared ribbed fins to the rear, strap to the rear bar with securing rivet; trefoil-section tongue with curved forward end, loop to the underside. 395 grams total, plate: 54mm (2 1/4"). Fine condition, tongue separate. Provenance From an important private London collection; formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Literature See Bishop, M.C. and Coulston, C.N. Roman Military Equipment, London, 1993. Footnotes This type of buckle is known as a Crested Closed Loop Dolphin due to the design of two facing, or sometimes, as in this example, opposing dolphins that form the loop. The type became popular in the late third century AD as a military fitting and continued into the Byzantine period. On this example the dolphins have become highly stylised with only the crests visible.The square belt plate with faceted flower motif can be compared with examples from the Danubian cultures of Migration Period peoples.
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
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