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

Clasp

Clasp
1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Throughout the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, from the north Balkans to the Caucasus, large and elaborate waist clasps were the most important item in a woman’s dowry. These clasps come in a small number of basic shapes, including round, as here. Round Ottoman clasps are never completely circular – they always have a protrusion, however slight, on the two ends. The women who owned them sewed them onto cloth belts which they made themselves, usually richly embroidered.

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 work, often enriched with blue and green enamels. They rarely marked their work. This clasp was described as 18th century when it was acquired, and this may be true. It was bought in 1888, just after a terrible famine, when many people had to sell their family heirlooms to survive.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Clasps
  • Clasps
TitleClasp (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt sheet with appliqués of green and blue filigree enamel, red, green and white pastes, and pierced seed pearls
Brief description
Silver-gilt clasp with enamel, pastes and seed pearls, Cyprus, 1750-1850.
Physical description
Two-part silver-gilt clasp lavishly decorated with filigree enamel, coloured pastes and seed pearls. Each part is circular with a scalloped rim and cast pierced trimmings of baroque foliage round the edges, increasing to a point at the extreme outside edge of each part. There is a band of beaded wire round the rim. The face is slightly curved and covered with filigree enamel appliqués which are attached to the base plate by rivets with domed heads. In the centre of the face is a raised rosette of green and blue enamel with a white paste in the centre. Around this are six rosettes set with central pastes of red or green each surrounded by a ring of seed pearls threaded on wire (many missing). Round the outside is a band of six curled stylised tulips, of blue and green enamel.

The back of each part has a bar for attachment, and two flat plates with curved edges. One part has a curved sideways hook on the inside rim, and the other has a corresponding loop.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 12cm
Subject depicted
Summary
Throughout the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, from the north Balkans to the Caucasus, large and elaborate waist clasps were the most important item in a woman’s dowry. These clasps come in a small number of basic shapes, including round, as here. Round Ottoman clasps are never completely circular – they always have a protrusion, however slight, on the two ends. The women who owned them sewed them onto cloth belts which they made themselves, usually richly embroidered.

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 work, often enriched with blue and green enamels. They rarely marked their work. This clasp was described as 18th century when it was acquired, and this may be true. It was bought in 1888, just after a terrible famine, when many people had to sell their family heirlooms to survive.
Collection
Accession number
1526&A-1888

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest