Silver Panelled Belt (Araipatti)

This heavy gauge, impressive belt and buckle comprises six hinged panels and one long plain panel, all in silver.

The six front panels are cased and possibly repoussed with hamsa and yali motifs in roundels surrounded by floral work.

The buckle, which opens to one side with a pin mechanism, is domed and set with a red stone cabochon.

A buckle with a similar stepped pyramid face inset with a stone that is attributed to the Ambedekar region in Tamil Nadu in south India is illustrated in Utracht (1997, p. 245).

It is likely that a small chain would have attached from the pin that opens the buckle to the rest of the belt but this is no longer present. Overall, however, this is an impressive belt.