Silver-gilt

Translator: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Author: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Description: 

Ind. no. 103: Part of a silver-gilt, filigree clasp. It has a curved outline and, in terms of its tulip-like shape, it resembles the central element of tripartite clasps. The openwork filigree surface, composed of very dense scrolls, is encrusted with domed rosettes, granules, and tiny lozenges, as well as a clear paste (glass stone), set at the top of a large rosette. The lower part of the object is framed by beaded wire, which also extends between the filigree scrolls at the upper part, thus surrounding the largest section of the filigree surface. A small piece of the object is missing.

From Istanbul. Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 cm.               

Translator: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Author: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Description: 

Ind. no. 123: Silver-gilt, triangular pendant of openwork filigree construction. Spiral patterns develop around a rosette in the center, and applied minute granules adorn the filigree surface. A ring is attached at the top of the triangle, while eight chains of unequal length hang from its base. One of the longer chains ends in a Turkish coin, while four other chains, short and long in pairs alike, terminate in similar leaf-shaped, filigree elements. The item comes from Macedonia.

Height: 17.5 cm.

Translator: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Author: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Description: 

Inv. no. 101: Silver-gilt poukla (buckle, clasp) consisting of three pieces. The outer two, horizontal pieces are paisley-shaped, while the central, vertical piece is oblong with a wavy outline. On all three parts, the applied filigree decoration forms large rosettes, nailed to the center and to the curved ends, as well as other smaller floral designs such as stems, leaves and flowers. The decoration is completed with applied granules, hemispheres and lozenges. On the back of each piece there are vertical bars for attaching the clasp to a belt. The central piece is joined to one outer piece. This type of clasp is well known in Greece (see Hatzimichali 1978, 75, fig. 64, Kaplani 1997, 119, no. 4118, Zora 1981 fig. 56, Mazarakis-Ainian and Iacovou 1995, 71).

Dimensions: Total length: 23 cm. Paisley-shaped pieces: 10.5 x 6.5 cm and 10 x 6.5 cm. Central piece: 9.5 x 5 cm.

Translator: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Petroula Hadjittofi
Author: 
Euphrosyne Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou
Description: 

C/2003/0148

 

Silver-gilt buckle/clasp of two convex discs with repoussé and chased decoration. A composition of leaves and flowers adorns the centre of each disc, while similar winding floral designs extend along the edge. Chased details and punched dots complete the relief decoration, enhancing the light and shade effect. The cast loop of the clasp is covered by a circular element with a serrated outline and a relief depiction of a smiling face with large eyes and wavy hair. This is obviously a representation of the sun. Cast elements of a scallop shell flanked by scrollwork in rococo style, are attached at the outer extreme of both discs. Two bars, of which one is wide with a curved outline and the other is narrow, are attached on the back side of each disc, for securing the clasp to a belt.

The clasp is likely imported. Round clasps with a similar but richer floral decoration, as well as with decorative cast elements at the periphery, are found in Greece (see, for example, Mazarakis-Ainian and Iakovou (eds.) 1995, 70, no. 53: silver clasp from the Peloponnese, and Zora 1981, 72, b). The integration of the human face in the representation of the sun is a very common theme in modern Greek folk art. It is encountered in clasps and other jewellery and it is considered protective against misfortune (see for ex., Korre 1978, 288, fig. 149-150, 354, fig. 281, 359, fig. 292).

 

Total length: 20 cm. Diameter: 7.5 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.