Early Medieval Carolingian gold and cloisonne enamel belt plate

Code: 11594

This is a Carolingian gold and cloisonne enamel belt plate, dating to the 10th - 11th century AD. It is decorated with four square-shaped cells of enamel, laid out in gold wires with a quatrefoil design of flowers. One is set with dark blue enamel and decorated with white flowers, the other presumably white enamel and decorated with red flowers. The plate is expertly crafted and retains four piercings for attachment. Being an excavated example it is slightly wavy but intact. Rare and likely a noble or royal piece of early jewellery. 

OBJECT: Belt Plate

CULTURE: Carolingian

DATE: c. 10th - 11th century AD

MATERIAL: Gold & enamel

SIZE: 20mm x 20mm x 2mm 

WEIGHT:  2.14 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European Private Collection, Munich. Germany.