MEROVINGIAN GILT BRONZE BIRD-SHAPED BROOCH Ca. AD 500 - 700. A gilt-bronze brooch in the form of a bird with a broad tail and sharply curved beak. The eye is rendered as a concentric circular motif, and the wing is modelled as a raised panel extending along the upper body. The beak is bordered by a series of punched dots. The reverse is fitted with a pin lug and catch plate. For similar see: The British Museum, Museum number AF.527.a.; 1867,0729.35 Size: 23mm x 13mm; Weight: 3g Provenance: London collection; Ex. Mayfair collection, acquired from an Ancient Art gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market pre-2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.