Silver belt with niello, Dagestan or Azerbaijan

Impressive silver belt from the Caucasus, most probably from Dagestan or Azerbaijan.

The belt buckle is decorated with niello work that can be attributed to circassians. The rest of the belt is a leather band with coins sewn on them. Other coins hang all around the belt in a mesh fashion.

From the 19th century or early 20th century. In good condition, some niello has faded and 2 coins from the mesh are lost.

Provenance: UK private collection.

Dimensions:

Total length: 77 cm
Belt buckle: 10 x 24 cm
Height with coins: 20 cm

Literature:

“Ceintures ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2004, p. 132
“Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009, p. 272
“Museum of the ethnography of the peoples of the USSR”, Aurora Art Publishers, Leningrad, 1988, p. 73
“Remnants of the past-Collection of Lousick Agouletsi”, Tigran mets, 2010, p. 88

CA220