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A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Armenian belt, Trabzon, Ottoman Empire, before 1915

Posted by ALEKSANDR EMELIANOV on July 19, 2017 at 6:57pm
Armenian belt. Trabzon, Ottoman Empire, early 20th centurySterling silver (about 90%), weaving, casting, stamping (the buckle end).HandmadeBelt width - 35mmLength with buckle - 900mmSize buckle - 50/30Minimum waist girth - 640mmMaximum girth - 830mmWeight - 300g.Has 5 sockets, each socket, the terminal and the plate which carries the buckle - Ottoman stamp Arabic letters.On the buckle - the image of a hand holding a fish (usually these belts were made buckles with Imperial symbols, in this case it is an unconventional solution)The time of manufacture of the belt - apparently the beginning of the 20th century, until 1915, the so-called "Ottoman modern".In excellent condition, not counting lost suspension in the lower part of the buckle.On the back of the buckle is scratched the name in Arabic letters - Isha Mekke (?) اشع مكى, maybe it's the name of the former owner of the belt. It can be assume that the belt is on sale for richest families in Palestine, Syria or the countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Comments

  • Betty August 5, 2017 at 10:15pm

    Very beautiful belt with an unusual buckle. I love it and I am curious: what makes you say it is Armenian?

  • ALEKSANDR EMELIANOV August 6, 2017 at 5:32am
    Hello, thank you for your question, this belt have a Hallmarks of Ottoman empire and such kind of jewelry was making there by Armenian jewellers. It was attributed by the help of specialists from Russian Ethnography Museum.
  • Peter Hoesli December 2, 2017 at 9:03am

    Armenian silver smiths can be found all across the Middle East and far south as Ethiopia, where they were manufacturing among others crowns, etc. for the imperial court. They are standing out for their fantastic workmanship (not only for silver works but also carpets, etc.) and clever business attitude. Armenia was originally a very large country spanning much across Turkey, Syria, etc... The Ottomans have diminished the population and their country, downsizing the same with the Armenians fleeing to other places. Overall a very a sad story....

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