Clasp thumbnail 1
Clasp thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91 to 93 mezzanine, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Clasp

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Throughout the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, from the north Balkans to the Caucasus, large and elaborate clasps were the most important item in a woman's dowry. The women who owned them sewed them onto cloth belts which they made themselves, usually richly embroidered. The only men who wore ornamental clasps were bishops and other senior ecclesiastics. Their clasps were often decorated with religious themes.

The cone, comma, or paisley-shaped clasp is one of the commonest and most characteristic designs throughout the former Ottoman region.

Cypriot clasps are part of the general Ottoman tradition, but are often more sophisticated and decorative than those from elsewhere. The goldsmiths of Cyprus were famous for their filigree, often enriched with blue and green enamels. They rarely marked their work. This clasp probably dates from the 18th century. It was bought in 1888, just after a terrible famine, when many people had to sell their family heirlooms.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Clasp
  • Clasp
Materials and techniques
Silver gilt, with coloured enamels, red and green pastes, and seed pearls
Brief description
Silver-gilt comma-shaped belt clasp (poukla) with enamel and pastes, Cyprus, 18th century.
Physical description
Two-part comma-shaped belt clasp with predominately green polychromatic enamels riveted to the base, and inset with red and green coloured glass. The outer border of the enamel is in foliate scrolls, with an inner circle of six-petal rosettes and a central boss enhanced with seed pearls and a single clear paste.
Dimensions
  • Width: 26.5cm
  • Height: 10.0cm
  • Depth: 2.3cm
Production
Worn by women
Subject depicted
Summary
Throughout the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, from the north Balkans to the Caucasus, large and elaborate clasps were the most important item in a woman's dowry. The women who owned them sewed them onto cloth belts which they made themselves, usually richly embroidered. The only men who wore ornamental clasps were bishops and other senior ecclesiastics. Their clasps were often decorated with religious themes.

The cone, comma, or paisley-shaped clasp is one of the commonest and most characteristic designs throughout the former Ottoman region.

Cypriot clasps are part of the general Ottoman tradition, but are often more sophisticated and decorative than those from elsewhere. The goldsmiths of Cyprus were famous for their filigree, often enriched with blue and green enamels. They rarely marked their work. This clasp probably dates from the 18th century. It was bought in 1888, just after a terrible famine, when many people had to sell their family heirlooms.
Collection
Accession number
1525&A-1888

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Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
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