Early Medieval:
Hunnish, Ostrogothic, Frankish & other Migration period
buckles and fibulae

863
Eastern Germanic /Gepidic?/ gilt silver buckle 
second half of V century, Danube region

Solid cast silver oval loop terminates with opposed animal heads with gaping mouths and globular eyes; prominent manes indicated by scrolling band in high relief. Top of heads and necks decorated with zig-zag line at small scale in niello. Three-faceted tongue decorated with zig-zag line in niello attached to solid rectangular section decorated with cross on scaly pattern background in niello. Rectangular front plate done in Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of scrolling were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel, framed by a perimeter of zig-zag line at small scale in niello. Silver back plate attached to front by two small rivets.
L. 2"(5.1 cm). The fine detail affords substantial insight into the range, complexity, and quality of the art that was applied in the execution of this technique.

$ 5000

1467MBF
Ostrogothic silver eagle-headed buckle
First half of VII century

Each end of oval-shaped loop terminating with collar-set cabochon garnets, row of scrolling along the length; massive stylized animal head tongue, terminated by staying animal. Rectangular plate with projecting eagle head with collar-set garnet eye; central oval glass medallion, four garnet cabochons and a row with scrolling on the perimeter. Front plate done in Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of scrolling were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel. Back silver plate with remaining original fabric reinforced with flat bars. Leather belt still preserved between front and back plates. Length 15.8 cm.
See: “Materials in Archaeology of Tauria”, Vol I, p. 211 #2.

$ 3000

465
Ostrogothic gilt silver buckle
First half of VI century

Terminations of solid cast oval loop riveted to the axel. Cast stylized tongue decorated with a band of gilt recessed pyramids. Each corner of rectangular plate set with cabochon garnets. Front plate done in Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of scrolling were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel. Leather belt still preserved between front and back plates. L. 4.4"(11.2cm).
See: K. R. Brown. From Attila to Charlemagne. Arts of the Early Medieval Period in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yale University Press, 2000, pg. 111; Bierbrauer V. Die Ostgotischen Grab- und Schatzfunde in Italien // Biblioteca degli "Studi medievali".- Spotelo, 1975. VII.- table I
Christie?s Antiquities, NY, June 4, 1999 #173.

$ 2000

463
Ostrogothic silver buckle 
First half of VII century

With an oval loop and a hooked tongue in the form of a stylized bird head; the eyes in relief. Both elements hinged to a rectangular plate. A stylized lion in relief on the plate, with knobbed rivets at each corner; framed by a raised double border. Leather is still preserved between front and back plates. 2.6"(6.6cm) x 4.9"(12.2cm).
Christie?s Antiquities, NY, June 4, 1999, lot 171.

$ 1,000

62
Ostrogothic silver buckle with the earliest depiction of the cross
Second half of VI century

Oval loop; hooked tongue with stylized beak and knobbed eyes, both hinged to a rectangular plate. Decorated with a cross in relief. Raised double border along the perimeter with knobbed rivets at the corners. Complete with original back plate. Small area of collapsed metal at the bottom of lower part of rectangular plate. L. 3.6"(9.4cm).
See: A. Aibabin, ?Ethnischegeschichte der Fruhbyzantinischen Krim?, 1999, p. 131, pl. 53, 1.

$ 1000

1466MBF
Pair of Germanic silver fibulae
first half of VI century

Cast, gilt silver, chip-carving technique. Semi-circular head plate with three projecting knobs and scrolling decoration; arching bow; foot with lozenge shaped decorations gradually decreasing in size,  central projecting toe and two garnet inlays. Flat underside with preserved pin (in one) and spring mechanisms, catch at footplates. L. 7.2 cm, W. 3.8 cm.
For similar see: Herzog R., Koller A. Die Alamannen. Stuttgart, 1997, p.189; A. Aibabin, “Ethnischegeschichte der Fruhbyzantinischen Krim”, 1999, p. 309, table XXV, 10; Herzog R., Koller A. Die Alamannen. Stuttgart, 1997, p. 189. Christies' Antiquities, June 1999, lot #169

$ 2000

1465MBF
Germanic silver fibula
first half of VI century

Cast, gilt silver, Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of scrolling were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel. Gilt radiate head with five knobs and deep spiral decoration; narrow arched bow with pronounced central ridge; gilt lozenge shaped foot with two knobs set with garnet cabochons. Flat underside with preserved pin and spring mechanism, oxidized iron chunk (iron spring), catch at footplate. Intact, with original garnets. L. 8.3 cm, W. 4.5 cm.
For similar see: Kuhn H. Die Germanischen Bugelfibeln der Volkerwanderungszeit in der Rheinprovinz // Akademische Druck.-u. Verlagsanstalt.-Graz-Austria, 1965, table 62, 3,1-3, 2; Herzog R., Koller A. Die Alamannen. Stuttgart, 1997, p. 212; Vinski Z. O rovasenim fibulama ostrogota i Tirinzala povodom ryetkog tirinskog nalaza uSaloni // Vjesnik arheolosgok muzeja u Zagrebu.- Zagreb, 1972-73,  table XI, 60; Menis G.C. I Longobardi. Milano, 1990, cat. II.7.

$ 1250

861
Eastern Germanic bronze fibula
second half of V century, Danube region

Cast bronze, Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of pyramids were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel. Radiate head with central knob. Narrow arched bow; lozenge shaped foot with animal head at the toe. At the rear: oxidized iron chunk (iron spring) with fragment of original fabric, missing pin. L. 2.6"(6.6 cm).
See: Werner J. Studien zu Grabfunden des V Jahrhunderts aus der Slovakai und der Karpatenukraine // SLA, 1959. - VII-2, p. 427-431.

$ 300

862
Eastern Germanic bronze fibula
second half of V century, Danube region

Cast bronze, Kerbschnitt (or Keil) technique, where patterns of pyramids were deeply cast and worked over with a chisel. Radiate head with grooved central knob. Narrow arched bow flanked by lateral grooves; lozenge shaped foot with animal head at the toe. At the rear: central lug with oxidized iron chunk (iron spring) with catch at footplate; missing pin.
L. 2.6"(6.6 cm). See: Werner J. Studien zu Grabfunden des V Jahrhunderts aus der Slovakai und der Karpatenukraine // SLA, 1959. - VII-2, p. 427-431.

$ 300

860
Germanic bronze fibula
second half of VI to VII century

Cast. Fan-shaped head plate with central knob and four circular perforations formed by stylized birds' heads: beak of each bird connecting to the back of the head of the next one. Arching bow with four longitudinal grooves, flanked by lateral grooves. Foot with stylized sides and a zoomorphic terminal; stamped circles throughout. At the rear are two lugs and an axis bar and pin, large fragment of original fabric. Missing pin.
L. 3.7" (9.4 cm).

$ 450

711
Germanic bronze fibula
VI century

Cast. Flat half-circle headplate, pronounced bow; long, flat footplate. Headplate decorated with three projecting discs. Flat underside with preserved spring mechanism, pin missing.  L. 3.7" (9.4 cm).
K. R. Brown. From Attila to Charlemagne. Arts of the Early Medieval Period in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yale University Press, 2000, pg. 189.
$ 275

712
Bronze fibula 
VI-VII century 
Danube region

Cast. Flat headplate with opposed schematic animal heads, pronounced bow with light ridge; long, flat footplate. Flat underside with preserved pin and spring mechanism; catch at footplate.
L. 3.2" (8.1 cm).

$ 350

470
GERMANIC SILVER FIBULA
FIRST HALF OF V century A.D.
DANUBE region.

Silver alloy cast fibulae in the form of a horsefly with stylistic wings; accented neck with grooves; angular head with oval eyes. Flat underside with spring mechanism. Catch is at the head end. Pin has not survived. Lower parts of both wings were broken and reattached with adhesive.
L. 2.5"(6.4cm).
See: Laszlo G. The art of the Migration period.- Budapest, 1974, tab. 69, 70; Werner J. Beitrage zur Archaologie des Attila Reiches // Bayer. Acad.d.Wissenschaften Philol.-hist. Klasse.- 1956, tab.48,13; 49,4.

$ 275

857
PAIR OF OSTROGOTHIC SILVER FIBULAE
SECOND HALF OF V century A.D.

Cast fibulae in the form of horseflies with facet wings; neck accented with grooves; triangular head with projecting eyes and incised lines. Flat underside with spring mechanism and pin, catch is at the head end. Completely intact.
L. 1.8"(4.6 cm).
See: Laszlo G. The art of the Migration period.- Budapest, 1974, tab. 69, 70; Werner J. Beitrage zur Archaologie des Attila Reiches // Bayer. Acad.d.Wissenschaften Philol.-hist. Klasse.- 1956, tab.48,13; 49,4.

$ 650

719
GERMANIC SILVER FIBULA
V century A.D.
DANUBE region

Obtuse angular bow with rectangular cross section, bilateral spring, "returned" foot. Intact. 2" x 0.6" (5.1 cm x 1.5 cm)

$ 150

728
LANGOBARDIC BRONZE FIBULA
VI century A.D.

Solid cast arched bow with central ridge, bilateral spring, cast "returned" foot, bow decorated with stamped concentric circles and double grooves throughout. Knob projection above the spring. Pin missing. 2.8" x 1" (7.1 cm x 2.5 cm).
For similar see: Menis G.C. I Longobardi. Milano, 1990, cat. X.142.

$ 75

64
BYZANTINE SILVER BUCKLE
FIRST HALF OF VII century A.D.

Cast in block. Solid crown-shaped plate with small triangular lug at the top. Laterally elongated loop with deep recess to take the pin. Wide bevel along the perimeter. Tongue decorated with collar-set yellow cabochon glass. Two short rods at the rear. 1.8?(4.6cm).
See: K. R. Brown. From Attila to Charlemagne. Arts of the Early Medieval Period in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yale University Press, 2000, pg. 115.

$ 275

484
BYZANTINE SILVER BUCKLE
VI century A.D.

With a solid cast oval loop and hooked tongue. Both elements hinged to an oval plate which is folded around the loop forming the back plate and secured to the front with three rivets. Hinge section decorated with parallel grooves forming a triangle L 1.8" ( 4.8 cm).

$ 200

67
BYZANTINE SILVER BUCKLE
SECOND HALF OF VIII-IX century A.D.

Plate with crimped edge and three rivet holes. Trapeziform decorated loop. Tongue and plate hinged with silver pin. Short wide tongue with flat knob with cross. 2.8? (7.0 cm).

$ 300

69
BYZANTINE BRONZE BUCKLE
VIII century A.D.

Oval-shaped loop. Short tongue with flat knob and dot-and-circle indentation; both hinged to an openwork plate decorated with dot-and-circle indentation. Two perforated lugs at the rear. 2.6?(6.5 cm).
See: K. R. Brown. From Attila to Charlemagne. Arts of the Early Medieval Period in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yale University Press, 2000, pg. 115
(17.1)

$ 150

76
BYZANTINE BRONZE BUCKLE
VIII century A.D.

Kidney-shaped loop; short wide tongue with flat knob. Both hinged to a plate with small round lug at the top and decorated with uncertain design in high relief. 2.5?(6.4 cm).

$ 200

71
BRONZE BUCKLE
FIRST HALF OF VIII century A.D.
KHAZAR KAGANATE

Kidney-shaped loop, ornamented in relief. Short tongue with flat knob; both hinged to a openwork plate with net design. 2.3?(6.0cm).

$ 175