8th century AD. An exquisitely worked phalera of a winged mythical creature with a griffin's head, advancing to the right, the details of the creature's body are finely delineated, the background is left vacant, bordered by rows of dots and a wavy line; to the reverse four small eyelets for attachment. The iconography of this piece is reminiscent of the motifs found in the gold treasure of Nagyszentmiklós. 33.3 grams, 54mm (2"). From an old private Vienna collection; acquired 1970s-1980s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10542-171043.