Gallery

Comments

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  Lynn Ardent December 10, 2014 at 2:03am

  I have never seen anything like this before!  What is the origin?  Is it partially brass?
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  ingrid Langerak December 10, 2014 at 2:18am

  Another beauty.  I notice that this belt also has birds as ornaments just like the Lybian belt had a bird on the buckle.  Does it signify anything?
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  Peter Hoesli December 10, 2014 at 3:47am

  Dear Lynn and Ingrid; Many thanks for your messages. I allocate this belt to the Balkan or somewhere in the Caucasus. The Russians and Bulgarians but also Austrians incorporated the eagles on coins and jewelry. Many of the Bulgarian belts have the two eagles engraved on the huge buckles. I have not finished cleaning it. To my bad luck the very fragile leather strip broke during the cleaning, last time I was home. Therefore and in order not to damage it further, I have decided to leave it like that and have a professional fixing it for me the next time I am home. It is a magnificent piece and like you, I have never seen another like it. I assume that the belt is silver (low) with a Mercury gold plated buckle. With kind regards. Peter
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  Jean-Marie Criel February 20, 2016 at 4:07pm

  Dear Peter,

  If the belt could be Caucasian, this is a track worth investigating:  Daghestan (e.g. Kubachi).  Birds are a recurring theme in their jewelry, and the style of the buckle & hook reminds of the handles of some Daghestani metal pots.

  Kind regards, JM.
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  Peter Hoesli February 20, 2016 at 4:16pm

  Dear Jean-Marie; You are right. I will look into this. I know somebody who is very familiar with Daghestan jewelry and will ask him. I shall let you know. With many thanks and kind regards. Peter
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  Betty February 20, 2016 at 8:01pm

  Fantastic belt, Peter. I too have never seen one like it before. I am curious to learn more.... Kind regards, betty