buckle/clasp

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.