Casgliadau Arlein

The main, stepped central portion of this belt plate is divided into three squares. The end sections retain traces of having been fitted with a pierced cloison, the recess below having been gilt; the central section contains a circle of light green enamel in the middle within a ring of copper alloy, and the remainder is occupied by 43 squares of millefiori glass mosaic. Four of these squares, symmetrically placed, are outlined in red and have a minute chequer-pattern of blue and white. The remainder are blue, set with red-centred white florets. The decoration of the surviving semicircular end comprises two P-shaped insets of green enamel and a bow of alternating blue and red squares, of the same type as appear in the central square. The lug terminal contains a spot of decayed, probably green enamel in which a small chequer of red, blue and white is set. Since there are traces of gilding below the cloison which survives, it seems likely that the whole ensemble was gilt or possibly tinned, if so, no traces remain.