Girdle Clasp
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Silver sheet; gilt, repoussé, patterned wire, and granulation; inlaid with silicae, coral and turquoise beads filigreed, granulation
Dimensions
H. 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm) W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm) D. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm) Wt. 17.127oz. (485.6g)
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.1105
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century girdle clasp from the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art the opulent jewelry traditions of the Islamic world. Craft by an unknown artist, this substantial silver piece—measuring 6⅛ inches high and weighing over a pound—served as a functional yet lavish belt closure, likely adorning the sashes or girdles of elite women in regions like the Ottoman Empire or Central Asia Part of the Edward C. Collection bequeathed in 1891, it reflects the era's blend of utility and splendor in personal adornment. The clasp's artistry shines through masterful tech...