buckle/clasp

C/2003/0160   Silver filigree buckle/clasp. Its three pieces have the same crown-like shape, with curved protrusions on either side. The curvilinear frame, made of beaded wire, encloses spiralling scrolls of openwork lace-like filigree. Applied decorative elements, namely filigree rosettes in two different sizes and faceted squares, are scattered across the filigree surface. It appears that the centre of the largest rosettes was set with stones that have been lost. The central piece of the clasp is larger and vertical, while the outer pieces are horizontally positioned on either side of the central piece’s lower part. One of the outer pieces is affixed to the central one, while the other is separate, with two vertical tubes on the reverse side, between which fits another tube affixed to the central piece. A pin passes through all three tubes, fastening the clasp. The two outer pieces are connected by three chains, hanging from two rings. The fastening pin is joined to one of the rings. On the reverse side, there are five vertical bars fixed to the frame, for securing the clasp to a belt.   Clasps of this type are frequently encountered in Cyprus and could be considered products of local jewellers, since the island has a long tradition of filigree jewellery and tableware. For similar and comparable clasps, see for example: Pierides 1980, LVI. b, from the Collection of the Cyprus Museum; Papadimitriou 1996, 56, fig. 71, from the Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus; Cypriot Costumes 1999, Cypriot clasp from the National Historical Museum in Athens; Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 229; Papadimitriou 2000, 98, cat. 34, and 103, cat. 45; clasps in the Victoria and Albert Museum, purchased in Cyprus in 1888 and 1903, respectively.   Total length: 20 cm. Height: 10 cm. Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.