A large museum quality silver and gilt Ostrogothic belt buckle. This elaborate artifact was undoubtedly the possession of a significant Gothic warrior.
Circa 5th - 6th century AD
It is beautifully crafted with an intricate pattern of incuse designs on the perimeter of the rectangular main plate and the buckle loop. The gilt central plate is held by four dome headed rivets (still present !) and is decorated with scrolled designs.
A large oval garnet stone graces the center of the plate. The buckle hook is crafted in a zoomorphic form that is adorned with garnet eyes. In excellent condition - gilding on the surface is remarkably intact. (96 x 46 mm – 3 13/16 x 1 13/16”)
For closely related examples see Sotheby’s (NY June 14, 2000), lot 148 and 149.
The Ostrogoths were part of an ancient Teutonic race who dwelt between the Elbe and the Vistula in the early part of the Christian era, and who overran and took an important part in subverting the Roman Empire. The Ostrogoths, who had long elected their rulers, chose Theodoric the Great as king in 471 AD.
A turbulent ally, the Byzantine emperor, Zeno, commissioned Theodoric to reconquer Italy from Odoacer. The Ostrogoths entered Italy in 488, defeated and slew Odoacer (493 AD), and set up the Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy, with Ravenna as their capital.
