A HUNGARIAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER AND STONE-SET BELT

PROBABLY TRANSYLVANIA, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A HUNGARIAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER AND STONE-SET BELT
PROBABLY TRANSYLVANIA, 18TH CENTURY
Composed of six trapezoidal silver-gilt segments, joined by openwork silver links, each with applied openwork foliage and set with table- cut garnets, mounted in domed and chased bezels, and baroque pearls, the center with similarly-decorated cartouche suspending three domed pear-shaped drops, two set with table-cut garnets and one with a baroque pearl, the hinged clasp is formed of two semi-circular openwork silver segments mounted with rose-cut garnets and terminating with a hook and loop closure, two segments with loops for suspension, apparently unmarked, with later French control marks
30 in. (76 cm.) long

Literature

László Mravik, "Sacco di Budapest:" Depredation of Hungary 1938-1949, 1998, no. 20036, p. 341

Exhibited

Exhibition of Old Cultural Pieces from Transylvania, Museum of Applied Art, Budapest, 1931, no. 295b

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Lot Essay

The dress of aristocratic Hungarian ladies in the 16th and 17th centuries was as resplendent as that of their male counterparts. In addition to the sumptuous textiles of their dresses, often embroidered with gold and adorned with pearls and precious stones, Hungarian ladies wore extravagant jewels set into pendants, bracelets and belts. These pieces were commonly given as wedding gifts, as documented by contemporary dowry lists and inventories.
Two similar belts are illustrated in Baroque Splendor, The Art of the Hungarian Goldsmith, 1994, cat. no. 167 and 172, pp. 182-84.

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