Early 7th century AD. A silver belt buckle of the 'eagle' type comprising: a shallow domed loop with band of running scroll ornament, two cells flanking the tongue-rest and two more to the ends, each with an inset black glass cabochon; hollow-formed trapezoid-section tongue with incised saltires to the rear lateral faces, hooked forward end, two lateral cells with black glass cabochons, the whole representing the head and beak of a bird of prey; square buckle-plate with hinge to the forward edge, cabochon in cell to each corner and scrolled bands between, central chip-carved rectangle with raised cell and inset red glass cloison, four attachment rivets; to the rear edge, a stylised eagle-head with black glass cabochon eye in a cell, chip-carved neck, short curved beak; bronze rear mounting plate with reinforcing strips to the edges; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.18, a similar find from Koreiz, Ukraine; see also the same volume, p.75, fig.4, for the full suite of metal dress fittings.223 grams total, 16.5cm (20cm including stand) (6 1/2 (8)"). Property of a London businessman; acquired from Kai Schmidt, Cologne, Germany, 2006; accompanied by a copy of the original invoice; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10335-168734. Buckles such as the one offered here constituted part of the displays of finery associated with wealthy females. The buckle belongs to the Gothic presence in the area of the modern Ukraine or Crimea.