5th-6th century AD. A square-section iron snaffle-bit with two straight silver-gilt cheek-pieces with transverse grooves and kidney-shaped loop, rectangular finial to the base with inset garnets, the top with a raven-head finial with garnet cabochons; two strap ends to each loop with inset garnets. See Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item III.13.2.4, for a similar snaffle-bit without garnets. 155 grams, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). From the private collection of a British gentleman based in London; acquired in the 1980s; accompanied by an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.160857/1/9/2020.