Clasp
Clasp
1750-1850 (made)
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 although they rarely marked their work. This clasp was described as 18th or 19th 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.
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 although they rarely marked their work. This clasp was described as 18th or 19th 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.
|
Title | Clasp (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Silver filigree set with turquoise pastes |
Brief description | Silver filigree clasp set with turquoise pastes, Cyprus, 1750-1850. |
Physical description | Two-part silver filigree clasp. Each part is circular in shape, with a wide flat rim of sheet silver, slightly scalloped on the outer edge, which extends to a slight point at the extreme outside of each part. The centre consists of a disc of open filigree scrolls, with a circle of seven domed filigree rosettes round the edge. There is a larger domed filigree rosette in the centre set with a turquoise paste. One part has a curved sideways hook on the inside rim, and the other has a corresponding loop. There is a turquoise paste set over the loop. |
Dimensions |
|
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 although they rarely marked their work. This clasp was described as 18th or 19th 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 | 1535&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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 28, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest