LARGE MEROVINGIAN INLAID BRONZE BELT BUCKLE WITH CENTRAL CABOCHON. Ca. AD 450 - 525. A bronze belt buckle with a rectangular plate framed by a border of alternating square cells enclosing punched Xs and ring motifs. The central field is executed in cloisonné, with an oval dark blue cabochon set within a matrix of irregular compartments filled with yellow and red inlays. A matching oval cabochon, smaller in size, is set into the prong extending from the fastening loop. The loop itself is decorated with shallow crescent-shaped incisions and joined to the plate by a simple bar secured with rivets. For similar see: V. Bierbrauer, Goti dell'Oriente e dell'Occidente Europeo tra la fine del V e la prima metà del VI secolo alla luce delle fonti archeologiche, Fibula tipo Udine Planis variante 2. Size: 53mm x 117mm; Weight: 145g Provenance: Private UK collection; previously acquired on the London art market in the 1970s. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.