Near East, Persia (Iran), ca. 6th to 9th century CE. A striking belt buckle, made of cast bronze and gilded. This style of buckle is sometimes known as the "shield on tongue" and this example consists of an ovoid ring with a thick pin and a shield studded with three rounded, openwork bosses of cross-hatched design. The rest of the shield is similarly ornate, cast with grooves and relief patterns, and the pin (also known as a "prong") may once have had an inlay of shell, gold, or jewel. Comes with custom stand. Size: 3.25" W x 1.5" H (8.3 cm x 3.8 cm); height on stand: 2.1" (5.3 cm).

The "shield on tongue" style of belt buckle is found throughout the ancient Near East and Europe during this period - see, for example, a similar belt buckle from the Byzantine Empire at the Walters Art Museum (57.545) and the famous "Great Gold Buckle" from the Sutton Hoo ship burial (eastern England) at the British Museum (1939,1010.1), both from the late 6th to early 7th century CE. In Persia, these belt buckles are associated primarily with men's burials, and give us a wonderful idea of what ancient fashion looked like.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired over twenty years ago

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#121623

Ring has a split near the top (as shown in the photo). Excellent form with functional hinge and much gilt remaining.