Eastern Roman Tinned Bronze Composite Belt Mount
8th century A.D. Displaying openwork floriate decoration within a tongue-shaped frame; two pierced attachment lugs to the rear. Cf. Daim, F., Die Awaren am Rand der Byzantinischen Welt (The Avars on the Border of the Byzantine World), Bad Vöslau, 2000, figs.1-2,37,112. 27.9 grams, 93 mm (3 5/8 in.).

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The belt is of composite type, decorated with scrollwork in Byzantine style. Many authors discuss the possibility that these belts were produced in the Eastern Roman capital or that they were made in the workshops of the Avar Khaganate, maybe with Roman matrices for producing sheet ornaments. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price