Buckle

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).