Merovingian Germanic Horse Bit with Gold Inlay Circa 7th-8th century A.D. An iron horse bit composed of two rectangular linked bars with flat-section articulate arms suspended from the outer terminals, two slightly domed circular cheek pieces with decorative openwork geometric design, embellished with gold inlay. Cf. Various, Die Franken, Wegbereiter Europas, Mainz, 1996, fig.561. 156 grams, 27 cm (10 5/8 in.). Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. This intriguing horse bit is formed from an element of a Frankish female belt (the gilded disc) combined with gilt iron bars. Usually the Merovingian warriors used snaffle bits with side bars, sometimes with round discs, hence we can assume that this particular horse bit was destined to be used by a civilian or a woman.