Merovingian Saxon period gold and garnet scabbard button

Code: 11485

This is a nice Merovingian or Anglo-Saxon gold button, dating to the 6th - 7th century A.D. It is decorated with a beaded wire-rim surrounding a cabochon garnet gemstone. Similar objects have been attributed to scabbard buttons or brooch fittings. Today the jewel has survived intact with slight loss of the rim (from its time buried in the ground). See NMS-244527 and HAMP-2DAB03 for discussion on this genre of button/fitting. I also have a further two from the same find/collection see the last photograph. 

OBJECT: Button/mount

CULTURE: Anglo-Saxon / Merovingian

DATE: c. 6th - 7th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Gold & Garnet

SIZE: 20mm x 15mm x 7mm 

WEIGHT: 3.39 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European Private Collection