
- Girdle
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Girdle
- Place of origin:
Transylvania (made)
- Date:
1750-1870 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown
- Materials and Techniques:
Silver-gilt set with garnets, turquoises and pastes, with painted enamel, on leather covered with gold brocade, dark red velvet and woven cotton
- Credit Line:
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh
- Museum number:
M.18-1953
- Gallery location:
In Storage
The Saxon community of Transylvania dates back to the 12th century, when they were encouraged to settle there to help defend the sparsely-populated area from attacks from the east. Over time they grew in prosperity, and always remained quite distinct from the local population, in law, language, religion and costume.
The marriage belt was one of the most visible and ostentatious signs of identity for women in this community. It was based on the kind of belt worn throughout Europe by the aristocracy in the late medieval period, with a series of richly jewelled studs set on a leather belt faced with velvet or brocade. Transylvanian women traditionally wore it wrapped two or three times round the waist, with the two decorative ends lying side by side at the front.
It is always difficult to date these belts, as the design changed little over time, and elements of older belts were often reused.