6th-7th century AD. A buckle and plate of classic Merovingian style, found across the south-east of England, comprising: a thick cast silver loop, D-shaped profile and sub-circular section, thinning on the sides and very narrow behind the plate; square plate reducing to the reverse, pierced by two silver rivets; tongue absent. Cf. MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, p.204-5, items 34.52, 53, 58. 13.40 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Property of an Essex gentleman; previously with Lockdales, Suffolk, Auction 76, lot 1151; formerly in an old English collection, acquired before 1999. [No Reserve]