Near East/Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. Three matching belt attachments, each made of 85-90% silver framed around 18 to 20 karat gold sheet decorated with small, abstract motifs created using the technique of granulation. Two are nearly identical, each displaying a heart-shaped motif with three tiny triangles - each composed of three granules - at either side. A granulated border forms a ring around the motif, further underlying the separation between the silver and the gold. The third has the same border, but a motif of what looks like a spring rising from a hill is on its face. Each has or had in the past two pins on the back for attachment to leather or another cloth surface. Size of each: 0.6" W x 0.75" H (1.5 cm x 1.9 cm); total weight of all three: 10.8 grams
This piece has been has been tested for the presence or absence of particular elements via XRF elemental analysis. A basic 1-page summary of the XRF screening will accompany purchase, identifying each element present in the sample, as well as the quantity of elements present. A more complete analysis detailing historical data / comparisons is available for additional charge –
please contact us. Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Wassem Alteir
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#140558
Condition
Slight bending to form. Dark patina on silver surfaces; gold is in very nice condition and motifs are all clear. One has both pins intact; the other two have either a partial or a lost pin.