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.