Clasp thumbnail 1
Clasp thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Clasp

1800-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Norwegian traditional jewellery is called bunadsølv (dress silver). Most of it has changed very little since medieval times. More women in Norway still own and wear traditional jewellery than in any other country in Europe. You can see jewellery like this being worn at weddings or on other social occasions to this day.

Women throughout the Nordic region usually used ring brooches or clasps to fasten their traditional clothing. These clasps vary considerably by place. Telemark had the widest range of clasps of any region in Norway. The most typical, found only in Telemark, are these large heart-shaped clasps, richly decorated with filigree. They first appear at the beginning of the 19th century, and are still being made today.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Clasps
  • Clasps
Materials and techniques
Silver gilt filigree
Brief description
Silver gilt filigree heart-shaped clasp in two parts, Telemark (Norway), 1800-1899.
Physical description
Two-part silver-gilt clasp, consisting of two heart-shaped parts, each covered with filigree. The central motif on each part is attached by rivets, and the surrounding coil rings are soldered to the back plate. There is a loop on the inside edge of one part, and a corresponding hook on the other. Both the loop and the hook are hidden by a raised cylinder which is also decorated with filigree. There are traces of many modern fittings on the backs of both parts, which have been removed.
Marks and inscriptions
'VT.N.' in a frame shaped like an arc. (On back of each part.)
Translation
Mark of unidentified maker.
Credit line
Given by Dr. G. F. Hill
Subject depicted
Summary
Norwegian traditional jewellery is called bunadsølv (dress silver). Most of it has changed very little since medieval times. More women in Norway still own and wear traditional jewellery than in any other country in Europe. You can see jewellery like this being worn at weddings or on other social occasions to this day.

Women throughout the Nordic region usually used ring brooches or clasps to fasten their traditional clothing. These clasps vary considerably by place. Telemark had the widest range of clasps of any region in Norway. The most typical, found only in Telemark, are these large heart-shaped clasps, richly decorated with filigree. They first appear at the beginning of the 19th century, and are still being made today.
Collection
Accession number
M.532:1&:2-1924

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Record createdNovember 1, 2005
Record URL
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