Belt elements

Composed of a central rosette, eight bars and two finials, these belt elements are decorated with domes and granulation designs. Several features compare with Iranian pieces including the box construction and the minute granulation covering completely most of the domes. An early date is supported by the conspicuous absence of openwork filigree used in Fatimid jewellery. Similar belt elements were found in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon, in a hoard of Mamluk and other later jewellery. Said to come from Samarra, 10th c. L 27 cm (ΓΕ 1856)