Clasp
19th 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.
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, as here, with blue and green enamels.
This clasp is shaped like stylised tulips, a favourite Ottoman motif.
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, as here, with blue and green enamels.
This clasp is shaped like stylised tulips, a favourite Ottoman motif.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver filigree with coloured enamel and glass |
| Brief description | Silver filigree belt clasp (poukla) with coloured enamel and glass, and pendant chains, Cyprus, 19th century. |
| Physical description | Silver filigree belt clasp in three sections, of stylised tulip shape. Decorated with raised filigree bosses inset with blue enamel, and applied six-petal rosettes inset with blue and green enamel, and red, blue and green pastes. Pin-fastened on the left, with five figure-of-eight chains of graduated lengths draped across the front, from the top of the pin to a corresponding loop on the other side. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production | Worn by women |
| 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. 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, as here, with blue and green enamels. This clasp is shaped like stylised tulips, a favourite Ottoman motif. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1439&A-1903 |
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| Record created | April 1, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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