silver

Silver filigree buckle. It consists of three parts in the shape of a tulip. The central part, which is larger, is placed vertically and the other two horizontally. All three parts have a silver border and are covered with spiral patterns in filigree work. There is also applied decoration forming rosettes with inserted blue stones, two in the middle part and one on each of the side parts. The buckle closes with a pin passing through a tube at the back. The pin is connected -through a ring- with four chains, which are attached to one of the horizontal, smaller parts of the buckle.  This is an impressive buckle of fine craftsmanship.   

Collection E. Mantovani-Astgian. A similar buckle, also from Cyprus, is preserved in the National Historical Museum, in Athens (Gangadi, Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou, Fakatseli 1999, 137).

A pair of similar silver bracelets. They consist of series of chains, which are connected with filigree buckles and close with a fastener passing through the middle of each buckle.

Collection E. Mantovani-Astgian

Imported brooch consisting of a bird’s foot with metallic nails. The silver clasp at the top part of the leg is adorned with a green stone.

Private collection, Larnaca. A similar but betterpreserved brooch, belonged to Chrystalleni Christodoulidou in Pafos.

 Silver-gilt pendant comprising a chain of spherical filigree beads (toutounia), and a filigree cross. The arms of the cross consist of four drop-shaped elements, soldered to a central rosette-shaped part, with a blue/turquoise stone in the middle. Red beads are affixed at the angles between the drop-shaped elements. The fourth element is connected, through a ring, to the chain, actually to a large spherical filigree bead in the middle of the chain, which consists of a series of smaller filigree beads (toutounia).

Collection E. Mantovani – Astgian

C/2000/2194

Silver filigree belt with buckle/clasp. It consists of 62 vertical rectangular links made of fine filigree with applied lozenges and granules. The links are connected with rings. A triangular filigree element featuring similar decoration is attached to the last link. The joint is covered by four tiny rosettes. The clasp, also of filigree, features a composite rosette with an applied dome in the centre and small rosettes between the outer petals. The rosette and the outer petals are constructed as separate pieces, attached to the base of the clasp. Soldered to the reverse side of the clasp is a hook that fits into a hole in the triangular terminal of the belt, or into holes at the centre of the rectangular links, to adjust the belt to the waist of its wearer.

A filigree ornament hangs from the clasp, and a chain with three hollow spherical beads made of filigree is suspended from two belt rings, one on either side of the clasp. This  belt is similar to belt no. C/1996/1233, which, as we have seen, is of a widespread type. 

Total length: 80 cm. Height: 4 cm.

Former collection of Aristides Koudounaris.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C/1996/1233

Articulated filigree belt of 56 vertical rectangular links, joined with rings. The links are made with filigree and adorned with applied granules. The belt closes with a composite bow-shaped clasp of filigree on a sheet silver background. A rosette decorates the centre of the clasp, from which hangs a wirework ornament.

Two rings connect one side of the clasp to one end of the belt, while on the other side of the clasp there is a hook that fits into a small hole in the centre of the last link at the other end of the belt. Certain parts of the clasp are gilded, as are half of the belt links, in a pattern of alternating single then double links. This creates a two-tone colour, while the filigree surfaces and the empty in-between spaces give the impression of lace.

Similar belts are found in various areas of Greece, such as Epirus and Thessaly (Kaplani 1997, 117, No. 5134, Hatzimichali 1983, 90, fig. 85-86, Papantoniou 1991, 66, 67, 70, 85, Gourgioti 1996, 38-39, fig. 69-72). The same type of belt, which has been attributed to the late period of modern Greek silversmithing, was also produced during the 20th century by craftsmen in Ioannina (Zora 1981, 30, fig. 60, Hatzimichali 1983, 130, fig. 135). Similar examples are also found in Cyprus, for instance in the Pierides Foundation Collection in Larnaca, and in the House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios in Nicosia. Identical 19th-century specimens also come from Vidin in Bulgaria (Blagoeva 1977, 64, fig. 22) and Lebanon, where they are considered Ottoman (Kassatly nd., 60). The widespread distribution of this type of belt reflects its prevalence.

Total length: 80 cm. Height: 4 cm.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C1995/1164

Two-part silver buckle/clasp, similar in shape and decoration to clasp C/1989/173. Each disc-shaped element is made of openwork filigree with applied decoration of small faceted squares that form six rosettes around a central one. Another three rosettes, formed in the same way, adorn each of the two additional elements at the outer extremes of the clasp. The central rosettes are set with a turquoise stone, while a red paste (glass stone) with granules all around decorates the small round element that covers the fastening.

This type of clasp is also encountered outside Cyprus, e.g. in the Dodecanese and also in Thessaly, Epirus and elsewhere (see a similar clasp (kleidotari) from Kos in Papamanoles 1986, figure 16, from Thessaly in Gourgioti 1996, 40, figure 73, and from Ioannina in Mazarakis-Ainian (ed.) 1993, 134, the last two of which are clasps with a round shape).

Total length: 15.6 cm. Diameter: 5.2 cm.

Acquired through purchase.

C/1989/173

Silver filigree buckle/clasp of two identical disc-shaped elements, with surfaces of spiralling scrolls in twisted wire, surrounding a central rosette. The circular frame is made of beaded wire. Additional elements, with similar filigree designs enclosed by curvilinear, beaded wire frames, are affixed to the outer periphery of both clasp pieces. These elements, which lengthen the clasp, correspond to the additional cast anthemia and leaves that adorn other types of disc-shaped clasps. The wirework surfaces are enriched with applied faceted squares, while the central rosettes are adorned with an applied circular element at their centre and granules on their petals. The cast fastening elements (hook and corresponding loop) extend into anthemia made of the same piece of metal. The latter are soldered to the inner extremes of both clasp pieces. The fastening is covered by a turquoise stone in a closed setting, surrounded by granules.

Total width: 14 cm. Diameter: 5 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

(Similar clasps can be seen, for example, in Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 244, where the ornamentation is complemented with enamel, and Papadimitriou 2000, 100, Cat. 38, a clasp in the Victoria and Albert Museum, purchased in Cyprus in 1888. The latter, as well as others of the same type, e.g., one in the Pierides Collection in Larnaca and another in the Collection of the Cyprus Museum, Nicosia (Pierides 1980, LVI. b.), have a similar filigree and applied decoration, but their round shape extends into a sharp end on the outer side, without additional elements).

C/1997/1680

Tripartite silver filigree buckle/clasp, similar to no. C/1997/1679. Three stones, two light blue and one red, are preserved at the centre of three applied large rosettes. The rings and chains have been lost. There are six bars on the reverse side, one on the central piece and two and three respectively on the two outer pieces, for securing the clasp to a belt.

Total width: 19 cm. Height: 8.4.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C/1997/1679

Tripartite silver filigree buckle/clasp, similar to clasps nos C/2003/0160–C/1989/174. The decoration again consists of domed rosettes in two different sizes, applied on a scrollwork filigree surface. The stones set in the centre of the four largest rosettes have been lost. Two rings at the outer clasp pieces would have been connected by chains, with the fastening pin joined to one side. On the reverse side there are six bars for securing the clasp to a belt, and hinge tubes for the pin fastening.

Total width: 16.5 cm. Height: 9 cm.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.