Copper

Ind. No. 113: Chaimali, a rectangular amulet case of copper alloy, accompanied by a chain for hanging on the chest. The case closes with a sliding lid at the top. On one side, it is decorated with floral designs, of which some protrude in high relief, while others are engraved in the background. The composition is placed in a frame of small dots in relief. Again inside a frame, the other side depicts stellar patterns and a rosette surrounded by circles in the middle. This amulet case, with its non-figurative decoration, is likely to have belonged to a Muslim.

19th century.

Dimensions: 7 x 9 x 1.5 cm.

C/1995/1167

Silver-plated copper buckle/clasp consisting of two similarly-decorated almond-shaped pieces and a round central element, affixed to the fastening loop. Floral and geometric designs cover the entire surface of both pieces. They include stems with spiral leaves and flowers, the most prominent of which is the poppy. Small lozenges and circles enclose the floral composition, also filling the empty spaces. An outer border, that again follows the almond-shaped contour of the clasp pieces, consists of a narrow band with finely engraved, oblique lines. The central element of the clasp is covered by a swirling rosette. All designs are rendered in repoussé, chasing, and engraving. On the reverse side of each clasp piece there are two vertical copper bars, for securing it to a belt.

Total length: 16.5 cm. Height: 6cm.

Acquired through purchase.

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.

C/2000/2188

Copper buckle/clasp, double-plated in silver and gold. It consists of two almond-shaped convex elements with a wavy outline and with identical relief and engraved decoration. The central motif is the Persian winged dragon, holding a flower in the claw of its raised leg. Its coiled tail shapes into a flower at its tip, its body is covered with fine scales, and its tongue protrudes from its open mouth. There are two small six-leaf rosettes, one in front of the dragon and one below its body. The composition is bordered by a band of stylised floral designs. The clasp closes with a cast hook, which passes through a corresponding cast loop. When the clasp is closed, the two dragons face each other. On the reverse side, both clasp pieces have vertical bars, two and one respectively, for securing the clasp to a belt. The engraved initials and the abbreviation of a name are discernible on the bars of both pieces: Χ”ΙΩ ΣΦ'Α (Χ”IO SF’A), which can be completed as X”Iωάννου Σοφία (Χ”Ioannou Sofia).

Total length: 22 cm. Height: 9 cm.

Former Collection of Pavlos Neophytou.