MEROVINGIAN GARNET-INLAID HIGH KARAT GOLD BELT FITTING WITH BEAST HEAD Ca. AD 400 - 600. A gold terminal cast in the form of a stylised beast head, with pairs of garnet cabochons set as eyes and smaller stones flanking the beak. The short neck leads to a disc-shaped extension inlaid with cloisonné garnets arranged in a cross-shaped pattern. For similar see: K. R. Brown, D. Kidd, C. T. Little, From Attila to Charlemagne, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000, Cat. 19.6, P. 219. Size: 40mm x 15mm; Weight: 14.6g Provenance: London collection; Ex. Mayfair collection, acquired from an Ancient Art gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market pre-2000. 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.