buckle/clasp

C/2000/2189   Silver-plated copper buckle/clasp with a similar shape and decoration as clasp no. C/2000/2188. There is a notable difference in the rendering of particular design elements of the dragon (e.g. the wings), which appears less refined here and holds the flower upside down. There are no rosettes and the foliate scroll motif extends freely along the edge, not contained by an inner frame as is the case in example no. C/2000/2188. Along the decorated border, there are six pairs of small holes for securing the clasp to a belt. Both clasp pieces have upturned pointed edges. They are joined by a horizontally positioned hook on one side and a corresponding loop on the other. The loop is covered by a deep-red stone framed with cast anthemia, that are made of the same piece of metal as the hook and loop, and are soldered to the rim of the two clasp pieces. The winged dragon is a favoured motif in clasps. The number of examples found in Cyprus, as well as the similarities in their technique and craftmanship, attest to their attribution to local workshops (similar samples can be seen in Pierides 1980, plate LVΙ:α, from the Collection of the Cyprus Museum, and Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 224, fig. 228-229 and 231, also 229, fig. 245, from the collections of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute, Nicosia, the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, and Loukia Pieridou, respectively). The motif of the dragon is also encountered in clasps from Greece (see, for example, Korre–Zografou 2002. 375, fig. 9, 382, fig. 28).   Total length: 22 cm. Height: 9 cm. Former Collection of Pavlos Neophytou. Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.