Women's "kamar" belt. Azerbaijan / Northern Caucasus, [early 20th century, ca. 1916].
Silver, cast and engraved; niello, silver thread and granulation; silver coins; leather; cotton thread.
Belt made of thick, broad leather strap, with 76 silver coins sewn on, arranged in three rows. Coins are Russian and Polish, dating from 1835 to 1916. Buckle consisting of two large, slightly convex links in silver thread and granulation, with vegetal patterns in niello, and with round bosses, also decorated with niello. Closed with copper hook.
85X7.5 cm.
References: Azerbaijan: Mountain Jews, Urban Muslims, p. 93; Mountain Jews: Customs and Daily Life in the Caucasus, p. 134.