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Old Armenian silver and coral chest ornament

This jewel is constructed like a clasp, but is too light to be considered a belt buckle. it has a bail on each part which suggested that it was part of a larger ornament. Further researches on google helped me find a postcard of a woman wearing a large necklace and a chest brooch made of the same parts. Eventually Betty got me a wonderful picture of a larger 18th/19th century jewel made of similar pendants called "SHAMSHIK" and which could have been used to fasten a plastron or a dress. Scroll down for both references. Would love your input. thanx
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Comments

  • 2506039844?profile=original2506040139?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • This is absolutely gorgeous Alaa - congratulations! Peter
  • Thanx Peter

  • beautiful piece!

  • This is a huge WOW for me!!!  Congrats and if it is for sale I bet it will go very quickly.  What are the flower shapes with the green stones mounted on, is it a flat gemstone like jade or is it silver?

  • Thanx Johanne and Lynn.

    @ Lynn
    I would have loved it to be some sort of semi precious stone but it is just plain silver
  • Hello Alaa eddine,


    I send you a picture (Antwerpen Museum of Ethnography) of a bridal costume from northwestern Anatolia (Bursa province, Keles district, Karakeçeli Yörük ethnic group), with a lot of jewelry.  One item (above the large belt buckle) is a pair of small 'clasps', sewed to the red vest, that are similar to yours (but less 'heavy', which is a general characteristic of NW Anatolian jewels versus the Eastern Anatolian jewelry).  These 'garment clasps' can be purely decorative (as are these ones), or can have a 'hook & eyelet'-system, which makes the clasps functional.


    Best greetings, JM.

  • 2463696189?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • Thanx Jean-Marie,

    I am more and more conviced that my piece had to be used in a similar way. As clues are building up, the Armenian provenance is pretty sure and a use a a vest clasp or at least chest adornment is very likely.

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