BYZANTINE GOLD BELT BUCKLE WITH A BIRD. Ca. AD 600 - 700. A gold belt buckle with a circular plate decorated with a stylised bird in low relief. An extension from the plate connects to the hinged fastening mechanism, which comprises a broad, rounded frame with an inward-curving tongue. Small trefoil motifs decorate the central hinge plate, flanked by a row of rounded knuckles securing the connection. The reverse of the plate is concave, with attachment rivets visible at the corners. For similar see: The British Museum, Museum number 1974,0910.1; The Princeton University Art Museum, Object Number: y1954-150. Size: 55mm x 25mm; Weight: 42g Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex. Private collection 1970s-1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.