Belt Buckle - Edirne-Thrace-Bulgaria - Gallery

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Belt Buckle - Edirne-Thrace-Bulgaria

Posted by Peter Hoesli on April 13, 2016 at 7:51am

This high silver buckle is featuring several stamps. Due to their high silver content, these buckle are in many cases damaged/cracked/crushed. This piece, however, is a excellent condition.

Comments

Jean-Marie Criel April 13, 2016 at 3:10pm

Dear Peter, this is a very attractive buckle. And I am intrigued by the mention of Edirne in the labelling. Is there any specific reason for that? With kind regards, JM.
Peter Hoesli April 14, 2016 at 6:22am

Dear Jean-Marie; Many thanks for your comments. I have obtained this information from my supplier in Bulgaria. With kind regards. Peter
Jean-Marie Criel April 14, 2016 at 4:08pm

Dear Peter, as this buckle rang some bells with me, I did some investigations which I want to share with you (for what they are worth). I add two pictures, to show what I mean.

First the shape, with its characteristic 'wavy' edge: rare (if not absent) in Turkish buckles, but seemingly a common shape in Bulgarian ones (picture 1).

Then, the unusual motif that looks like a tower with a pointed roof. In connection with the name 'Edirne', it made me think of the 16th century 'Adalet Kasrı' (Justice Pavilion, one of the scarce remains of the sultans palace in Edirne), which is since centuries a landmark of the city. (See picture 2).

If the buckle was made in a Bulgarian workshop of Edirne, this would provide also an ultimate date for its confection: 1913, when the Ottomans (on the 21th of July) recaptured the city from the Bulgarians and most Bulgarian citizens chose to accompany the retreating Bulgarian army, in order to avoid probable Turkish retaliations.

(picture 1): A women’s belt buckles, called ‘pafti’. From the Bulgarian Trakia Region; a copy of an authentic 19th century piece. With a (neo-)Rococo decor. 18 x 8 cm. From the Sliven Museum of Ethnography.

(picture 2): 'Adalet Kasrı' (Justice Pavilion), Sarayiçi (location of the former sultan's palace), Edirne. This tower was built in 1561 by Mimar Sinan, the Ottomans' most famous architect.

With kind regards, JM.
Peter Hoesli April 16, 2016 at 9:32am

Dear Jean-Marie; Many thanks for this most interesting information - much appreciated indeed! You know, here in Saudi Arabia, I am all away from my smart books, which I keep at my home. Well, in June, I will be home for vacation and then unveil my new deliveries and also have access to all my other goodies! With kind regards. Peter