17TH-18TH CENTURY

The form of this hinged belt fitting appears to be based on Yuan dynasty prototypes, such as the example carved on both halves with a chilong, illustrated in Zhongguo Yuqi Quangji - 5 - Sui, Tang, Ming, Hebei, 1994, p. 113, pl. 171, where it is described as a belt huan. Although each half is of somewhat square shape, they are similarly joined by a link and, like the present fitting, one half has a central opening and the other has a button that protrudes from the reverse. See, also, the jade hinged two-part belt buckle dated to the Yuan dynasty, illustrated by R. Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p. 134, fig. 14. Each square half of this buckle has a central hole surrounded by a chilong carved in high relief. As the two halves can be folded together it is possible that the fitting was stored folded.