Tibetan Gilded Clasp set with Turquoise & Coral

This clothing fastener is of gilded repoussed silver and is decorated on each end with stylised moth motifs with appliqué antennae. The central plaque is embellished with a larger turquoise cabochon around which five smaller coral and five turquoise cabochons sit in raised settings. Two further coral pieces decorate the panels either side of the central panel. Each piece of coral is fastened by a central rivet. The fastener is drilled with four holes to allow it to be sewn to a cloth belt.

Such clasps are rare. We are aware of only one other – a related example, though not gilded and not quite as elaborate, is on display in the permanent collection of the British Museum.

See here for that example.

The item here is a superb piece with clear age.