Kurdish Silver Buckle

This buckle from the Kurds of northern Iraq, is of very high-grade silver and comprises two symmetrical halves of Ottoman-inspired boteh shape, with the clasp hidden beneath a high, domed roundel.

The two halves are decorated with intricate silver applique and granulation work around boteh-shaped central plaques inset with turquoise-glass and coral-glass cabochons in silver box settings.

The central dome over the clasp also is decorated with turquoise-glass cabochons.

Important and expensive buckles such as this example would have been reserved for important life-cycle festivities such as those associated with weddings.

A similar buckle is illustrated in Al-Jadir (1981, p. 130). Another is illustrated in Seiwert (20089, p. 284).

The buckle is in excellent condition.