Italy, Siena(?) / c. 1375–1400
Belt for a Lady's Dress
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Belt for a Lady's Dress as jewelry (Italy, Siena(?) · c. 1375–1400).
Look closely at the tiny scenes of courtly love on the plaques that adorn this belt. Given their size, these scenes were designed for the enjoyment of the woman who wore this belt over a sumptuous dress rather than an admirer from a distance.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this jewelry as basse-taille enamel and gilding on silver, silver thread, gilt-silver buckle, cast and chased.
The museum's collection notes: Because of its extraordinary richness, this belt (also known as a girdle) was both an ornament for the body and an object of great personal luxury. Almost eight feet in length, belts like this were at the height of fashion for both men and women. After being passed around the waist and through the buckle, one end of the belt would fall to the hem of the garment. The belt's many colorful enamel plaques are worked in translucent enamel over decoration engraved into the silver beneath (an enameler's technique known as basse-taille). Within the plaques and cast into the buckle are scenes of courtly love, musicians, and fantastic animals. A large
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBelt for a Lady's DressOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.