Ave!

Buckle Plate, Fixed, Peacock, ca. 650-700 AD

Copper alloy; 52mm/14.8gm

Con/ As Cast and Fabricated; Green patina with earthen highlights; the buckle and prong still swivel.

Description/ Assembled from three parts; buckle, prong and plate. The plate, cast in very high relief, features a peacock striding left. About the rim, engraved decorations such as circle-and-dot patterns, triangles, and hash marks. On the reverse, two holed lugs for attaching to the leather belt strap.

Ref/ Type E37 from Mechthild SCHULZE-DÖRRLAMM's, "BYZANTINISCHE GÜRTELSCHNALLEN UND GÜRTELBESCHLÄGE IM RÖMISCH-GERMANISCHEN ZENTRALMUSEUM".  Try saying that three times fast! LOL!

Seller's Note/ This type of fixed buckle plate apparently originates in the Asia Minor part of the Byzantine empire so a peacock is not surprising. What is truly surprising is its immaculate, near pristine, condition. Very rare, folks!