clasp;
coin
- Museum number
- Eu1971,01.263.a-b
- Description
-
Gilded silver belt clasp, two leaf shaped halves with scalloped edges, with filgree panels made separately and applied to a plain white metal base; in the centre of each half a domed filigree rosettes and five smaller domed rosettes set round the edge. Hook and eye fastening, concealed beneath a filigree rosette, the rosette applied to an Ottoman coin hammered to form a dome.The hook and eye are cast and applied separately as are the sides of each panel and the two bars to hold the fabric belt at the back. Each half has a narrow bar and wider one with shaped edge on one side; generally the bars are simple copper alloy strips; these finely made decorative bars are unusual.
- Production date
- 19thC(late)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 9.20 centimetres (a)
-
Length: 8.20 centimetres (b)
- Curator's comments
- Text from Eth Doc 1836 (entry 263): These leaf-shaped buckles are scalloped at the edges. The filigree ornaments are combined with rhombic plates. The small buckle in the middle is in the shape of a rosette. The filigree is made of silver and it is also gold plated. End of the C19th.
Information supplementary to Eth Doc:
Kotel was a centre for filigree work in the 19th century. For filigree work in Bulgaria, see S. Blagoeva, 'Bulgarian Folk Jewellery, Sofia nd, pp. 30-32 (text) and p. 41 for similar clasps with applied rosettes. See also Blagoeva, 'Bulgarian buckles and belts', nd, p. 40 (top) for a very close example from Plovdiv, of the early 19th century.
Conservation work carried out in 2010 revealed the construction of the clasp and the use of a Turkish coin to form the central element (see conservation record).
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2011 21 Jan-11 Sep, London, British Museum, Room 2, Traditional Jewellery and Dress from the Balkans
- Acquisition date
- 1971
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- Eu1971,01.263.a-b