BUCKLE

Based on its form and technique, this artefact is likely to be the cloisonné insert from a particular type of early medieval buckle tongue with a mushroom-shaped base. These buckle tongues are typically attached to buckles with large triangular plates, categorised as Marzinzik's Type II.23b-ii (Marzinzik 2003, p. 50) and Hines and Bayliss' Type BU3-c (Hines and Bayliss 2013, p. 140). Most have composite decoration incorporating cloisonné and filigree motifs frequently in Salin's Style II. Their main area of distribution is south-eastern England, particularly Kent, where they are found primarily in burial contexts. The cloisonné tongue bases often combine garnets with white shell or blue/green glass, as in this case. Examples are known from Ash, Kent (British Museum, 1862,0701.10), Wickhambreaux, Kent (British Museum, 1905,0418.14), Alton, Hampshire (Curtis Museum; Evison 1988, p. 45) and the Taplow and Broomfield 'princely' burials (British Museum, 1883,1214.1 and 1894,1216.1 respectively). A recent find of a more complete example was found at Farleigh Wallop, Hampshire (Treasure Number 2018 T425, PAS Database SUR-920F4E).

Date:

Late sixth to mid seventh century

References:

Evison, V. I., 1988. An Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Alton, Hampshire. Hampshire: Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society

Hines, J. and Bayliss, A., 2013. Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th Centuries AD: A Chronological Framework. London: The Society for Medieval Archaeology. The Society for Early Medieval Archaeology Monograph 33

Marzinzik, S., 2003. Early Anglo-Saxon Belt Buckles (Late 5th to Early 8th Centuries AD): Their Classification and Context. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, British Series, No. 357

Conclusion:

The item comprises more than 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. As such it qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.