Belt link, gilded silver, Poland, 17th century

A gilded silver belt element in the form of a rectangular segment with open sides, creating an opening that allows a leather strap to pass through.

At the bottom there is a loop designed for hanging a decorative element. Links of this type likely formed a sequence of repeating belt segments; loops may have been present only on some of them and served to suspend decorative additions, such as small chains.

The decorative side is divided by a vertical double rib into two symmetrical fields. In each of them, three stylized flowers are arranged symmetrically. The background between them is concave, with a fine, granular texture, probably achieved by punching. The whole is surrounded by a narrow, smooth border.

Creation time17th century.
OriginPoland
MaterialSilver gilded
TechniqueChiseled casting, Gilding
Size3 × 2 × 0.5 cm
Weight0.009 kg