c.7th century AD. A multi-part belt comprising: fifteen silver elements: a belt buckle of ovoid form, with volutes and foliage decoration on the half-cylindrical shield; six strap-retainers of ovoid shape with bird-head terminals, decorated in a similar way; one similar strap-retainer, of smaller dimensions, identically decorated; three counter-plaques to the buckle, similarly ornamented; five strap-ends, decorated in a similar way with the addition of two long palm leaves. See for similar belt sets Von Hessen, O., Il materiale Altomedievale nelle collezioni Stibbert di Firenze, Firenze, 1983, fig.3a,b: Menis, G.C., I Longobardi, Milano, 1990, nos.X.46,X.47c,X.76c (plaques): Paroli, L., Umbria Longobarda, La necropoli di Nocera Umbra nel centenario della scoperta, Roma, 1997, a belt from grave 85, pl.22 and fig.16; horse harness in similar style (grave 42), pl30b; strap end (grave 32), pl.34a. 136 grams total, 1.9-10cm (3/4 - 4"). From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s; previously acquired before 1960. From the second quarter of the 6th century, Roman soldiers appear to have been furnished with the so-called composite belts, formed of fittings and pendants of silver, gold, bronze and gilded bronze. Such girdles, especially the golden ones, were probably influenced by Germanic, Iranian and Steppe people. Silver belt-sets from the Crimea and the western coast of the Black Sea may confirm the earlier use of composite belts by Roman soldiers stationed in the Bosphorus area. Similar sets to our belt have been found in Avar and Lombard graves, due to military and commercial interchanges and relations of these people with the Eastern Roman Empire. The present belt is related to the typology decorated with highly stylised linear and scroll ornaments, loosely related to the ‘mask fittings’ type. [15, No Reserve] Condition Report Fine condition.