5th-8th century AD. A 'propeller-shaped' sheet-gold ornament with applied granule to each corner; remains of additional applied decoration to the front face, where faint traces suggest that the original decorative motif comprised a central oval, with a shallow arc enclosing each granule, creating a roughly triangular motif in each corner. See The British Museum, museum number 1984,0107.4.a-b, for a sheet-gold belt fitting dated 7th century AD with a very similar decorative motif; see Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, p.111 and p.360, for belt-fitting of similar shape. 0.66 grams, 26mm (1"). From an Essex antiques gallery; formerly in a 1980s private collection. Likely a decorative element for a belt or garment. [No Reserve]