Belt Fittings

Location: Anatolia or north-west Iran

Materials: silver, partly cast, chased, gilt and enhanced by niello; and partly silver sheet, worked in repoussé, parcel-gilt and with sparse niello inlay

Dimensions: 5.6 x 3.2cm (sub-rectangular plaques);
5 x 2.7cm (plaque with ring);
4.6cm (diameter, circular elements)

Accession Number: MTW 1432

Other Notes:

These fittings were most probably from a single belt, as suggested by their technique and decorative repertory. They can be attributed on stylistic grounds to a  goldsmith’s workshop in 13th-century Seljuk Anatolia, where similar scrollwork is characteristic of both architectural decoration and woodwork.

Bibliography:

D. Alexander, The Arts of War. Arms and Armour of the 7th to 19th Centuries, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, volume XXI, London 1992, cat.13, pp.40–41.
J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.215, p.183.