Bronze buckle and plate, length 3.7 cm. D-shaped loop width 1.8 cm, with tongue attached by rolled hook; back of tongue has tiny cast raised feature like a miniature version of the old shield on tongue, but now very rudimentary. Plate attached by cut-out plate hooks, originally bent around bar of loop (now damaged so plate loose) and there must probably have been a back-plate originally. The centre part of plate has a shallow cast rect. cell with straight upstanding edges - now empty but must once have contained either a large slab of garnet, or else, more probably, a piece of repoussé metal foil. Two rivets at side of bar attachment, and 3 rivets on flange at end, all apparently functional; max. length of shank, 2mm.Note: This looks like a miniature and late version of a type of buckle and plate introduced and current in 6th century.
History
Grave ID
Barfrestone Grave 23
Object ID
M6582
Catalogue Number
M 6582
Material
copper alloy, inlay (Sonia Hakes Material Notes; bronze, garnet, metal foil) (Antiquarian Material; brass, stone, ivory)