Taurisker,
You are right. I should have been more specific. I for one can't tell the difference between appliques for belts, baldrics/sword straps,
horse harnesses etc in the post-Roman era. Maybe there are some sources that
help specify but I don't know of any.
There is great confusion even with
Roman era items. Some people try to specify belt vs. baldric, vs armour strap, vs.
horse harness according to size/width of the item but much of that is simply guess
work. It is clear that some decorations were used on more than one
type of item.
The only safe and sure way is if an item of decoration can be linked to one shown on a carving or statuary or to one found in a
good secure archeological context.
Shawn
