buckle/clasp

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.