S-shaped belt applicae

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

Copper alloy, 39mm/8.5gm, green patina with residual rusting from original irons pins.

Not from the UTERE FELIX series, but the shape is similar to 3rd Cent.

Any clue?

Thanks,

Kevin

[SC]

Strange.  All the belt letters I know stand alone - i.e. know "capitals" at top or bottom.  But it does appear to be a belt plate.

Shawn
 

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

Note and compare the following two photos -

The 1st is courtesy of a serious collector friend of ours. The 2nd is ours.

I have always had a problem with such S-shaped buckle connectors. If they were not directly attached to the belt in one manner or another, they would have immediately become lost. Does that make sense?

As seen in our example, the S-shaped connector has a bar at each end with residual rusting from two iron pins. These pins could have attached the connector to one end of the belt, close enough to be attached snug to the other similar buckle.

My new theory... 

Any thoughts?

Kevin

[SC]

I don't think so.  I have handled a dozen or more of those medieval belt S-connectors and they are all 3-D - that is the back is rounded and not flat - and they have no rivets.  Yours seems to have traces of two iron rivets, and thus was attached to a backing, and it looks like it has a flat back.  I still think strap or belt decor.

Shawn

[Mayadigger]

Thanks!

K