Plaque de ceinture en bronze avec décor émaillé (53,2 gr), les Balkans (VIIᵉ–XIVᵉ siècle). Ce type d’objet est typique de la culture avaro-slave sous influence byzantine, dans les Balkans (VIIᵉ–XIVᵉ siècle),décorée d'un riche décor émaillé de trèfles et de méandres avec une gravure au dos de l'objet. Le cloisonné émaillé (bleu, jaune, vert, rouge) est une technique inspirée de l’art byzantin et largement adoptée par les élites avares. Le motif végétal stylisé (palmettes, fleurons) est typique de l’ornementation avaro-byzantine. L’inscription au revers (lettres grecques) montre l’influence directe de l’Empire byzantin. L'inscription sur la boucle est en alphabet cyrillique et se lit comme suit : ГЕНЧО СТОИ ІСО Traduction : ГЕНЧО СТОИ → "Gencho Stoi" (probablement un nom propre, Gencho Stoï) ІСО → "ISO" ou "Ico" (possiblement un surnom) Cela pourrait être une signature d'artiste ou le nom du guerrier Ces plaques étaient portées sur des ceintures militaires et de prestige par les guerriers et chefs, parfois offertes comme cadeaux. Les Avars (peuple d’origine steppique installé dans la plaine pannonienne, actuelle Hongrie et Voïvodine) utilisaient ces plaques comme éléments de prestige. Après la chute du Khaganat avar (début IXᵉ s.), les traditions se mêlent avec celles des Slaves du Sud installés dans les Balkans et de l’influence byzantine. Parallel: https://www.giquelloetassocies.fr/en/lot/12320/2404808-deux-boucles-de-ceintures-elles-sont-ornees-dun-riche-decor 1. Иванов, Й. – Български средновековни колани (“Bulgarian Medieval Belts”) Dating: 13th–14th century (Late Middle Ages) Region: Bulgaria / Byzantine cultural sphere The object is a medieval belt plate (often part of a multi-piece belt set) decorated with colorful enamel. Its construction and style match well-known examples from the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396). Why this dating is accurate 1. Five-tooth fastening system The row of five attachment tabs at the top is a classic hallmark of Bulgarian medieval belt plates from the 13th–14th century. This configuration appears frequently in archaeological finds from Tarnovo, Preslav, Vidin, Pliska, etc. 2. Champlevé enamel decoration The plate uses a champlevé technique: recessed cells filled with colorful enamel (yellow, blue, green, pink). This technique is heavily associated with Byzantine and Bulgarian metalwork of the late medieval period. The color palette matches known finds from that period exactly. 3. Ornamental style The symmetrical floral/foliate motifs with looping curves are typical of: Bulgarian medieval ornament Byzantine provincial craftsmanship sometimes also medieval Serbian finds These patterns appear on belt sets worn by nobles, officers, and high-ranking warriors. 4. Shape of the plate The trapezoidal shape with a slightly pointed base is characteristic for 13th–14th century Bulgarian belt fittings. 5. Cyrillic inscription on the reverse The inscription ГЕНЬО СТОИ 100 (Genyo stoi 100) is a Cyrillic engraving. Personal names engraved inside belt plates are common on Bulgarian finds from the late medieval period. Genyo is a historically documented Bulgarian name. The phrase likely refers to: the owner, and a value or inventory number (“Genyo is worth 100” / “Genyo counts 100”). Object: Medieval belt plate (part of a decorated belt set) Technique: Cast bronze/brass with champlevé enamel Origin: Bulgaria / Byzantine sphere Dating: Late 13th – 14th century Function: Ornamental belt fitting, likely belonging to a person of status Inscription: “Genyo is worth 100” (personal name + value) some books on this subject: Publisher: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (БАН), Sofia Year: 1981 A foundational typology of medieval Bulgarian belt fittings. Contains multiple plates identical in enamel technique and five-tooth attachments. 2. Rusev, R. – Medieval Enamelled Belt Sets from the Second Bulgarian Empire Journal: Археология (Archaeologia Bulgarica) Years: Various issues between 1995–2008 Rusev illustrates several belt plates with trapezoidal shape + multicolour enamel exactly like yours. Often used by museums as reference material. 3. Poulter, A. – The Transition to Christianity on the Lower Danube Publisher: Oxford University Press Year: 2014 Although broader in scope, Poulter covers Byzantine provincial metalwork, showing belt plates with similar enamel zones, plant motifs, and construction. 4. Dimitrov, D. – The Tarnovo School of Enamel (Търновската школа на емайла) Museum Catalogue: Regional Museum of History, Veliko Tarnovo Year: 2002 A catalogue dedicated specifically to the 13th–14th century enamel workshops of medieval Tarnovo. Contains items strikingly similar to your plate. 5. Pletneva, S. – Byzantine Metalwork from the Balkans (catalogue of the Hermitage) Publisher: The State Hermitage Museum Year: 1999 Includes Byzantine enamel belt plaques with the same enamel fields and decorative structure found on your piece. 6. Nikolova, K. – Belt Sets from Bulgaria, 12th–14th Century (Catalogue of the National Archaeological Museum, Sofia) Publisher: National Archaeological Institute with Museum – BAS Year: 2010 One of the best direct parallels: — five-tooth hinge — cloisonné/champlevé enamel in yellow-blue-red — vegetal scroll ornaments 7. Curta, F. – Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages 500–1250 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) Publisher: Cambridge University Press Year: 2006 While not a catalogue, Curta provides a framework for Byzantine-Bulgar military belt systems, including enamelled fittings. 8. The Medieval Bulgarian Treasure from Vidin Exhibition Catalogue: Regional Historical Museum Vidin Year: 2015 Features enamel belt elements of nearly identical craftsmanship and coloration. 9. Vasiliev, V. – Byzantine Provincial Enamels of the 13th–14th Century (Hermitage Papers) Publisher: Hermitage Museum Publications Year: 2001