Niello Belt - Van - Eastern Turkey - Gallery

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Niello Belt - Van - Eastern Turkey

Posted by Peter Hoesli on December 13, 2014 at 9:29am

The silver smiths from Van were masters in producing Niello jewellry. Many say that they were the best in their field. Van has many influences as it belonged once to Persia, then to Armenia and then again to Turkey.

Comments

Betty December 13, 2014 at 2:57pm

Wow, Peter, this is an exceptionally superb piece. you are right, the Niello work IS outstanding.

When I was in Armenia I was often told that this piece or that came from Van, but unfortunately I naver came across something quite as masterful. Congratulations, Betty.

PS: One of the extensions hanging from the belt seems to be a sheet for a knife, but what is the other? Other than this martial addition, the belt looks very feminine to me...
Peter Hoesli December 13, 2014 at 3:01pm

Dear Betty; Many thanks for your message. I agree with you, the belt does look feminine. Yes, one of the extensions is for the knife, which is displayed next to it. It could be that the hook was used to hang a pouch, etc.. Probably one of the EJ members knows more about it. With kind regards. Peter
Jean-Marie Criel February 19, 2016 at 4:23am

Dear Peter,

While surfing the internet, I came across a book (on Amazon) that struck me:

“Armenian Master Silversmiths” (2005) by Osep Tokat. It is in English & Armenian.

I presume you already know it (and maybe have it). If not: it seems interesting enough to me.

Kind regards. JM.
Peter Hoesli February 19, 2016 at 5:51am

Dear Jean-Marie; Many thanks for your message. I have already purchased this book and enjoy it tremendously! Just 2 days ago, I finally bought a large antique Armenian belt, that I have been eyeing for over two years now. I simply could not resist anymore! I am sure that you know this feeling. I will post a photo during my next trip home, which however might be in a couple of months only. I have my eyes on another Armenian belt but that one has to wait a while. Armenian silver and especially also niello work is, in my opinion, the best or among the best... With kind regards. Peter
Jean-Marie Criel February 19, 2016 at 6:28pm

The exhaustive list of states that ruled over Van and its surroundings, for those among us with more than average interest in history:

11th century BC: a capital (named Toushpa) of the Urartu kingdom.

7th century BC: proto-Armenian (who called themselves ‘Haik’ and their land ‘Hayastan’).

ca. 610 BC: Medes, and later Persians (a satrap ruling the province).

ca. 331 BC: Alexander the Great.

ca. 305 BC: part of the Seleucid Kingdom, but its satrap is +/- independent.

ca. 100 BC: Armenian (founded by Tigranes the Great).

Until 4th century: periodically under Roman and Persian (at first Parthian, then Sasanid) suzerainty.

ca. 635: under Arabic raids and control.

early 8th century: Armenian (Bagratid dynasty of Vaspurakan).

ca. 772: Armenian (Ardzrouni dynasty of Vaspurakan).

1021: given to Byzantium, in exchange for territories around Sivas.

1068: Great Seljuks.

ca. 1075: Marwanids (Arab or Kurdish dynasty; capital: Diyarbakır).

14th century: Karakoyunlu (Turcoman) with short Timurid intermezzo (1402-1408)

1468: Akkoyunlu (Turcoman)

1503: Persian (Safavid dynasty)

1514: the Safavid lost control, after the Ottoman victory in the Battle of Çaldıran.

1548: fully Ottoman (and a governor is appointed)

1915-1918: Russian.

1918-today: Turkish again (Ottoman until 1922; then Turkish Republic).

As to the population and its culture, prior to WW1, one can say that the city’s inhabitants were predominantly Armenian. In spring 1915, the Armenians of Van rebelled against the Ottoman government (which had started the Armenian deportations and genocide); the Ottoman army besieged the city, that was relieved by a Russian offensive coming from the Caucasus. In early 1918, when the Ottoman retook the city, the Armenians of Van (wisely) accompanied the retreating Russian army. The new town (4 km away from the old, destroyed city) is now populated by Turks and Kurds.

Van was famous for its silver works. Before 1918 the vast majority of Van’s silversmiths were Armenians (there were reportedly more than 100 Armenian gold- and silversmiths in the city). It is, therefore, rational to label as ‘probably from an Armenian workshop’ all silver work from Van, that can be dated ‘before 1918’.
Thelma February 20, 2016 at 11:47am

I think I must have missed this belt earlier, Peter. It's a masterpiece. @Jean Marie, thanks very much for all the information about the long and complicated history of the area of Van .... like other places in the Middle East it's so difficult to untangle. But that's what makes it so fascinating.
Ethnic Embellishments February 20, 2016 at 12:15pm

Such splendid workmanship. This niello reminds me of the Russian style with the floral motifs.
Peter Hoesli February 20, 2016 at 12:28pm

Dear All; Many thanks for all your comments. This is definitely an extraordinary belt and I am very happy having it in my collection. I did not see much similar pieces of this belt. With kind regards. Peter