8th century A.D. A magnificent Khazaro-Byzantine bronze buckle set, the plate ornamented with fine decorationposed of interlaced humans and animals in the midst of openwork foliage scrollwork; the detached buckle with a collared tongue, attached to an articulated bar with knop finials. Cf. Daim, F., Die Awaren am Rand der Byzantinischen Welt (The Avars on the Border of the Byzantine World), Bad Vöslau, 2000, figs.61-72; Danich, A.V. & Krylasova, N.B., 'New Belt of the Byzantine Circle from the Medieval Bayanovsky Burial Ground in the Perm territory' in Archaeology Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 42/3, (2014), pp.87–94, figs.1-2. 84 grams, 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in."). Acquired 1970-1999. From an important collection of a deceased Mayfair gentleman. In general, the belt shows broad parallels with belts of the so called “Byzantine circle,”mon for the late Avar and early Saltov assemblages occurring over a wide area, which, as noted by various scholars, were a part of the Khazar Khanate or were in its sphere of influence. Tips with ornamental decoration of palmettes and vine tendrils have been found in related graves, so far as to the Urals regions (Kama territory), where a particular belt from the medieval burial ground of Bayanovsky, in the Perm territory, shows a unique decoration including representations of human figures together with foliage decoration.Condition Report: Fine condition.