The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia

C/2203/0161

Buckle/clasp of two almond-shaped mother-of-pearl plaques, each set in a silver frame of the same shape. The clasp is of the same type as no. C/2003/0151, with a similar representation of the two-headed eagle in a less sophisticated rendering. The decoration of the silver frame differs, namely in that it consists of a series of repoussé rosettes with chased details, bordering the inset mother-of-pearl panels. On the central clasp element, which covers the fastening, there is a pierced rosette adorned with a green stone and granules. It is surrounded by a row of smaller rosettes, and it is framed above and below by stylised floral designs with chased details. Two bars are soldered on the reverse side of each clasp element.

Total width: 21 cm. Height: 8 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

C/2003/0151

Silver-gilt buckle/clasp of two almond-shaped mother-of-pearl plaques, each set in a silver frame of a corresponding shape, with its edges turned prominently upwards. The broad border of each frame is richly adorned with relief/repoussé and chased floral designs, as is the central part of the clasp, the cast base of which is soldered onto the fastening loop. A pierced domed rosette set with a red stone, is nailed to the centre of the cast base, surrounded by tiny rosettes. Above and below are chased anthemia, while at the bottom part there are also two attached rings with three chains. Both mother-of-pearl plaques are carved with a crowned two-headed eagle. Its wings are outstretched and its body is covered in rows of scale patterns. The pointed edge of both plaques features a floral design. All silver elements are gilded, and the gold colour accentuates the shine of the white mother-of pearl panels. On the reverse side of the two outer elements of the clasp, there are two copper bars for securing it to a belt. The metal frame of the clasp is of exceptional craftmanship, comparable to similar examples from areas outside Cyprus (see Mazarakis-Ainian (eds.) 1993, 200, from Kavakli in eastern Thrace, Korre-Zografou 2000, 376, fig. 15, 380, fig. 36, and 383, fig. 35, clasps in the Collection of K. Notara, Athens, the first from Jerusalem and the other two from Thrace; see also Blagoeva 1997, 74, fig. 27, clasp of the same type, also with a double-headed eagle, from the region of Sophia).

Total width: 24.3 cm. Height: 9.5 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

C/1989/172

Buckle/clasp of two almond-shaped mother-of-pearl plaques set in a frame of a sheet copper base and a serrated silver border. The outer pointed edge of the frame terminates in a small silver anthemion, soldered to the reverse side. Carved depictions adorn both plaques. One bears a relief representation of Saint George and the other of Saint Demetrius. Both saints are mounted on horseback and similarly dressed in military costume, with a halo around their heads. Saint George thrusts his spear into the dragon's open mouth, while Saint Demetrius pierces the neck of a defeated foe, whose blood gushes from the wound. The blood is rendered in red, as are other elements of the representations, while the eyes are rendered with black dots. The tail of the dragon terminates in an arrow. The defeated warrior wears a helmet and carries a sword. A floral design occupies the narrowing surface behind the saints. The fastening of the clasp is covered by a cast circular plaquette affixed to the loop, adorned with a blue stone in a frame of granules. The metal frame of the clasp is very simple, indicating the work of a Cypriot silversmithing workshop.  

Many mother-of-pearl clasps were brought to Cyprus from the Holy Lands, a significant number of which is preserved principally in the sacristies of monasteries, but also in museums and private collections (see a mother-of-pearl clasp with a similar frame in Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery: Egoumenidou 2002, 13, and clasps with a similar frame and without a frame: Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 201, fig. 189-190). Their broad distribution is directly related to the varied geographical provenance of pilgrims to Jerusalem. Mother-of-pearl clasps worn as part of the traditional dress of Skyros, as well as others from Thessaly, are similar examples from areas of Greece (Lambrou 1994, 42, 47, fig. 45, 182, fig. 144-145, and Gourgioti 1996, 49-50, fig. 88-90).

Total width: 26 cm. Height: 9 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

C/2000/2194

Silver filigree belt with buckle/clasp. It consists of 62 vertical rectangular links made of fine filigree with applied lozenges and granules. The links are connected with rings. A triangular filigree element featuring similar decoration is attached to the last link. The joint is covered by four tiny rosettes. The clasp, also of filigree, features a composite rosette with an applied dome in the centre and small rosettes between the outer petals. The rosette and the outer petals are constructed as separate pieces, attached to the base of the clasp. Soldered to the reverse side of the clasp is a hook that fits into a hole in the triangular terminal of the belt, or into holes at the centre of the rectangular links, to adjust the belt to the waist of its wearer.

A filigree ornament hangs from the clasp, and a chain with three hollow spherical beads made of filigree is suspended from two belt rings, one on either side of the clasp. This  belt is similar to belt no. C/1996/1233, which, as we have seen, is of a widespread type. 

Total length: 80 cm. Height: 4 cm.

Former collection of Aristides Koudounaris.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C/1996/1233

Articulated filigree belt of 56 vertical rectangular links, joined with rings. The links are made with filigree and adorned with applied granules. The belt closes with a composite bow-shaped clasp of filigree on a sheet silver background. A rosette decorates the centre of the clasp, from which hangs a wirework ornament.

Two rings connect one side of the clasp to one end of the belt, while on the other side of the clasp there is a hook that fits into a small hole in the centre of the last link at the other end of the belt. Certain parts of the clasp are gilded, as are half of the belt links, in a pattern of alternating single then double links. This creates a two-tone colour, while the filigree surfaces and the empty in-between spaces give the impression of lace.

Similar belts are found in various areas of Greece, such as Epirus and Thessaly (Kaplani 1997, 117, No. 5134, Hatzimichali 1983, 90, fig. 85-86, Papantoniou 1991, 66, 67, 70, 85, Gourgioti 1996, 38-39, fig. 69-72). The same type of belt, which has been attributed to the late period of modern Greek silversmithing, was also produced during the 20th century by craftsmen in Ioannina (Zora 1981, 30, fig. 60, Hatzimichali 1983, 130, fig. 135). Similar examples are also found in Cyprus, for instance in the Pierides Foundation Collection in Larnaca, and in the House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios in Nicosia. Identical 19th-century specimens also come from Vidin in Bulgaria (Blagoeva 1977, 64, fig. 22) and Lebanon, where they are considered Ottoman (Kassatly nd., 60). The widespread distribution of this type of belt reflects its prevalence.

Total length: 80 cm. Height: 4 cm.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

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.

C/1989/173

Silver filigree buckle/clasp of two identical disc-shaped elements, with surfaces of spiralling scrolls in twisted wire, surrounding a central rosette. The circular frame is made of beaded wire. Additional elements, with similar filigree designs enclosed by curvilinear, beaded wire frames, are affixed to the outer periphery of both clasp pieces. These elements, which lengthen the clasp, correspond to the additional cast anthemia and leaves that adorn other types of disc-shaped clasps. The wirework surfaces are enriched with applied faceted squares, while the central rosettes are adorned with an applied circular element at their centre and granules on their petals. The cast fastening elements (hook and corresponding loop) extend into anthemia made of the same piece of metal. The latter are soldered to the inner extremes of both clasp pieces. The fastening is covered by a turquoise stone in a closed setting, surrounded by granules.

Total width: 14 cm. Diameter: 5 cm.

Donation from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

(Similar clasps can be seen, for example, in Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 244, where the ornamentation is complemented with enamel, and Papadimitriou 2000, 100, Cat. 38, a clasp in the Victoria and Albert Museum, purchased in Cyprus in 1888. The latter, as well as others of the same type, e.g., one in the Pierides Collection in Larnaca and another in the Collection of the Cyprus Museum, Nicosia (Pierides 1980, LVI. b.), have a similar filigree and applied decoration, but their round shape extends into a sharp end on the outer side, without additional elements).

C/1997/1680

Tripartite silver filigree buckle/clasp, similar to no. C/1997/1679. Three stones, two light blue and one red, are preserved at the centre of three applied large rosettes. The rings and chains have been lost. There are six bars on the reverse side, one on the central piece and two and three respectively on the two outer pieces, for securing the clasp to a belt.

Total width: 19 cm. Height: 8.4.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C/1997/1679

Tripartite silver filigree buckle/clasp, similar to clasps nos C/2003/0160–C/1989/174. The decoration again consists of domed rosettes in two different sizes, applied on a scrollwork filigree surface. The stones set in the centre of the four largest rosettes have been lost. Two rings at the outer clasp pieces would have been connected by chains, with the fastening pin joined to one side. On the reverse side there are six bars for securing the clasp to a belt, and hinge tubes for the pin fastening.

Total width: 16.5 cm. Height: 9 cm.

Donation from the Association of Friends of the Leventis Museum.

C/1992/1242

Tripartite buckle/clasp of a copper and silver alloy, similar to clasp no. C/1989/174. It is cast and hammered, with very dense false-filigree spiral designs, applied granules, and small faceted squares that form rosettes. The outer clasp pieces are connected by three graduated chains that are attached to the fastening pin at one end. The central piece is made of the same piece of metal as its hinge tube, which fits in between the other two tubes of the separate outer clasp piece. The fastening pin slots into all three tubes. On the reverse side, there are three vertical bars on one outer piece, two on the other, and one on the central piece. The cast imitation of filigree is particularly notable. A similar clasp is found in the National Historical Museum in Athens (see Mazarakis-Ainian (eds.) 1983, 184).

Total width: 17.5 cm. Height: 8.7 cm.

Acquired through purchase.