Buckle

During excavations in 1913 and 1925 in the municipality of Rijnsburg, objects were found that come from a ploughed-up early medieval cemetery. A number of exceptional objects were discovered, like this Merovingian belt buckle. It has an oblong buckle plate featuring a framed, slightly sunken decoration executed in gold filigree and consisting of entwined animal patterns with loop-shaped ornaments. The threads themselves are made up of tiny gold grains, so-called granulate.
The plaque with which the pin of the buckle has been fastened to the plate is decorated with enamel cloisonné, inlaid with almandine en blue glass and forming a frame around the gold filigree. The buckle plate was fastened onto the belt by means of six round nails.
Near the buckle an inlaid beltmount and a coin weight featuring a cross and the letters alpha and omega were found. The objects in this grave indicate such a high status that it is obvious we are dealing with a very important person here, possibly someone of royal blood.