Belt buckle??? Berber / North African / where did I come from?

This turned up in a local antique store. Paid not a lot. It tests like low grade silver, my guess would be in the .500 to .700 range. The entire thing looks hand made, especially from the back. Is this from North Africa somewhere, or someplace else? I've never seen another one.

 

I'm wondering if it's Afghan or somewhere in that neck of the woods.

 

Could be. I knew it was something interesting, but it's so far out of my expertise that it's not even funny.

 

The buckle part looks European or European derived. Maybe the plaque was converted. The inside rim looks like it could have started life as part of an amulet case.

 

That's certainly possible; that solder on the back on one end did have me a bit puzzled.