Clasp
1850-1899 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Waist clasps were part of the traditional costume of urban women throughout North Africa. They were worn in most countries but this example probably comes from Algeria. The pierced and chased decoration is typical of Algerian clasps made in the 19th century. Later, they were more often made of filigree. Clasps like this often had a cockerel, or other auspicious symbol, on the top of the central pin.
The name menteqa simply means something worn at the waist.
The name menteqa simply means something worn at the waist.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, incising, piercing |
| Brief description | Flat rectangular sheet silver clasp (Menteqa) with pierced decoration and a boss in the centre of each half, Algeria, 1850-1899. |
| Physical description | Two-part clasp shaped like an incurved rectangle, with a flat hook on one piece, and a corresponding loop on the other. Each part is made of sheet silver pierced in a floral pattern and decorated with chased patterns. There is a solid boss in the centre of each side and a strip of decorative cast silver over the hook. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden |
| Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Belt clasp in two parts, of silver cast in openwork and roughly chased. / Each part if of axe-head shape with scalloped edge. The design is of floral character with central bosses, while the joint is concealed by a raised ornament consisting of a lozenge between two palmettes. There is a flat hook and loop, and two wire loops for the belt ends. / North African / L. 4 3/4 in., W. 2 3/8 in.' |
| Summary | Waist clasps were part of the traditional costume of urban women throughout North Africa. They were worn in most countries but this example probably comes from Algeria. The pierced and chased decoration is typical of Algerian clasps made in the 19th century. Later, they were more often made of filigree. Clasps like this often had a cockerel, or other auspicious symbol, on the top of the central pin. The name menteqa simply means something worn at the waist. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 338&A-1904 |
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| Record created | April 8, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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