Superb Bukharan Gilded Silver, Niello & Filigree Waist Buckle

This buckle from Bukhara in Central Asia is among the more spectacular examples of its type that we have seen. It is of high-grade silver, covered in fine silver filigree, and entirely gilded (gold plated). There are seven applied filigree plaques of various sizes each of which is inset with a blue-coloured bead.

The buckle is curved to fit the curve of the waist. It has a pin closure with the two pins joined by double gilded silver chains and a crescent-shaped plaque decorated with niello and with three suspended tear-shaped drops.

A similar but less elaborate example is illustrated in Leurquin (2004, p. 131).

Blue was a favoured colour in Bukhara, used in the tiles on the domes of mosques, the jewellery worn by the local women, and so on.

The buckle here is in excellent condition.