Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid. A striking, large copper alloy cloisonné belt buckle from the Visigothic Migration period, complete with a bronze catchplate with a stylized animal head tongue (rigid). The rectangular front plate is decorated with different shapes of clear green glass in cloisonné technique with a central raised rectangular faceted glass inlay. All four corners are decorated with white arched shaped glass discs with a central silver knob. -> Visigothic belt buckles are among the most distinctive personal ornaments of the Migration Period. They were worn as part of elite dress and could signal identity, rank, wealth, and cultural affiliation. The use of coloured glass inlay reflects the early Medieval taste for bright, jewel-like decoration in striking geometric and mosaic-like designs. Size: ± 124,5 x 63,2 mm Good solid condition, restored. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images Reference: for similar see The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007.228 Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format). -> The art of the European Migration Period (3rd - 7th century AD) is primarily focused on personal adornment. Belt buckles, often featuring large rectangular attachment plates, were frequently inlaid with semi-precious stones and coloured glass. Garnets, in particular, were highly valued in Visigothic society for use in cloisonné jewellery. The cloisonné technique involved placing carefully cut pieces of polished stones or glass into a detailed grid of compartments (cloisons). These large Visigothic buckles are strikingly uniform in shape yet vary widely in surface design. They stand as a testament to the skill of Visigothic metalworkers and offer a glimpse into the personal identities and preferences of their original owners.