Avar belt stud with palmette motif - small

Avar belt stud from the Merovingian period.

This detailed replica of a Merovingian belt stud with palmettes was made after an Avar model from Vrap in present-day Albania, which dates to the 7th century.

Belt studs were very common among the eastern Avar cavalry during the Merovingian period and are therefore frequently found in the find material of this period, often with oriental palmette motifs.

Link to the original belt fittings...

Bronze and silver belt studs were very common among the Avars in the Early Middle Ages and were important for rank, status and clan within Avar society - belt fittings are therefore very often found in Avar finds from the Merovingian period.

The Avar belt stud from Vrap measures 1.7 x 1.1 cm.
The fitting is therefore suitable for belts with a width of 1.5 - 2 cm.

The belt stud from Vrap is made of high-quality bronze and is also available in real silver-plated.

Fastening: There are four rivet pins on the back of the Avar belt stud. To fasten it, simply insert them through the corresponding holes in the leather. It is best to use pliers to bend the tip of the rivet pin inwards a little. If you then tap the rivet pins flat with a hammer, the tip will sink into the leather and the Avar belt fitting will be stable and flat on the belt.

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The treasure of Vrap: War booty and Byzantine tribute in silver and gold led to great wealth among the Avars in the 7th and 8th centuries. Avar goldsmiths created exceptionally high-quality jewellery and belt fittings for the ruling class of the Avars. Several buckles, belt ends and fittings made of pure gold were found together in Vrap in present-day Albania. It is believed that these objects were part of a treasure belonging to an Avar chieftain or perhaps the material of an Avar or provincial Byzantine artist.