Obj. ID: 36693  Belt Buckle, Kubachi, circa 1900

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

This is a man's belt -buckle from Dagestan, done in niello with a Hebrew inscription and date. Belts were an important part of the local costume in the Caucasus area, both for men and for women. This object is for the male and is much less elaborate than the counterpart for women.  The buckle is very ornately done in niello, including the inscription with the name of the owner. Niello was a technique often used in ornamental silver work in this area. Such belts with the name of the owner in Hebrew is a rare phenomenon.

Inscription:  This is the belt of Ya'akov ben Tarpan (Tarfan?) [Zeh Chagurah shel Ya'akov ben Tarpan]

For an example for females see the object from Gross collection 043.001.004.