MEDIEVAL BUCKLE

1200

Medieval very elaborately decorated gilt buckle. Frame, oval, 17mm x 39mm: offset narrowed bar (part missing) between bosses with longitudinally engraved grooves, and moulded stylised animal head on centre of outside edge between elongated triangular fields of longitudinal ribs in counter relief and rocker-arm engraving between the ribs. On reverse of outside edge a group of five short engraved grooves near side. Pin, length 15mm: cast, D-section, stylised animal head, some delicate engraved decoration. Plate, front part 19mm x 35mm, rear part 17mm x 30mm: D-shaped, i.e. straight at the fold and with sides and attachment edge as a continuous curve, pin slot and frame recesses, front part decorated with engraved grooves enhanced with rocker-arm, six short longitudinal grooves on the fold and a pair of concentric grooves behind the fold and around the sides and edge, three plan-convex rivets of which two large (diameter 9mm) and decorated with multiple oblique grooves and one a replacement (diameter 4mm). On reverse of fold one groove on one side of pin slot and five on the other. 13th century.