Lot Essay
The gilt-bronze belt end is said to be from near Mitrovica (Sirmium) in former Yugoslavia.
CIRCA 8TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
Details
SIX AVARIC BRONZE BELT FITTINGS
circa 8th-9th century a.d.
Including a massive gilt-bronze belt-end, tongue-shaped, square in section, each face divided by a bar near the square end which, with the frame, are ornamented with raised spheres, the interior with incised and drilled scrollwork, the sides with incised bands imitating filigree, the squared end cast with a band of small spheres and triangular projections with foliate decoration, each with an attachment rivet; a large belt end in the form of an elongated tongue with concave sides and a pointed end, one face with symmetrical pairs of vine-scrolls, the other face with a row of four leaves with tendrils, each side of the square end with a small raised panel with scrolling; a tongue-shaped strap-end with pointed end, one face with open-work vine-scroll; a tongue-shaped strap-end with pointed end, one side with a scrolling vine, the other side with a voluted vine; a shield-shaped belt-mount with perforated scrolling, hinged to small flat plate in the form of a foliate motif; and an early Avar gilt silver and nielloed mount, circa 2nd half of the 6th century A.D., the shield-shaped end decorated with a chip-carved interlace knot, the originally folded flange pierced at the end for attachment
2 3/8 in. (6.05 cm.) long for the first (6)
circa 8th-9th century a.d.
Including a massive gilt-bronze belt-end, tongue-shaped, square in section, each face divided by a bar near the square end which, with the frame, are ornamented with raised spheres, the interior with incised and drilled scrollwork, the sides with incised bands imitating filigree, the squared end cast with a band of small spheres and triangular projections with foliate decoration, each with an attachment rivet; a large belt end in the form of an elongated tongue with concave sides and a pointed end, one face with symmetrical pairs of vine-scrolls, the other face with a row of four leaves with tendrils, each side of the square end with a small raised panel with scrolling; a tongue-shaped strap-end with pointed end, one face with open-work vine-scroll; a tongue-shaped strap-end with pointed end, one side with a scrolling vine, the other side with a voluted vine; a shield-shaped belt-mount with perforated scrolling, hinged to small flat plate in the form of a foliate motif; and an early Avar gilt silver and nielloed mount, circa 2nd half of the 6th century A.D., the shield-shaped end decorated with a chip-carved interlace knot, the originally folded flange pierced at the end for attachment
2 3/8 in. (6.05 cm.) long for the first (6)