Enquiry about object: 7080
Caucasian Niello Silver Buckle
Caucasus, probably Azerbaijan 19th-early 20th century
length: 22.2cm, width: 9.2cm, weight: 289g
Provenance
UK art market
This very pleasing silver buckle has been decorated with black niello work and silver applique work. The silver is quite pure and has a softness and a pleasing patina that comes with age and wear.
The buckle has been made in two halves and clips together at the middle.
Women in Azerbaijan and elsewhere in the Caucuses wore long jackets over their bodices, and these were held in place by a tight belt which also served as something of a corset. The belt would be secured with a buckle such as the example here (Leurquin, 2004, p. 290).
Similar examples are illustrated in (Leurquin, 2004, p. 122), Seiwert (2009, p. 273) and Borel (1994, p. 132.)
The example here is in fine condition and has a lovely patina.
References
Borel, F., The Splendour of Ethnic Jewelry: From the Colette and Jean-Pierre Ghysels Collection, Thames & Hudson, 1994.
Leurquin, A., A World of Belts: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America from the Ghysels Collection, Skira, 2004.
Seiwert, W.D., Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Bir Collection, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2009.
